I had never heard the term wrist cuffs that cowboys wore until pretty recently. I’d seen pictures of them but didn’t know what they were called or why they wore them. Maybe you already did and are way ahead of me. That’s quite possible.
Definition: Wide soft leather bindings that cowboy wore on their wrists to protect them from barbed wire fencing, cattle kicking and causing injury and protecting shirt sleeves. They also protected against rope burns and branding irons. They are also called roping cuffs and sometimes gauntlets.
I’ve seen them on motorcycle riders quite a bit for protection on the road. These were very popular on cowboys until the turn of the century but you can still see them on some working cowboys today.
I admit, they’re pretty cool and make the wearer look tough.
When I started writing Creek, my sweet western romance, I wanted him to wear them but in his case it was partly to conceal an ink drawing on his wrist. My cover designer put them on him but they looked horrible so we took them off.
I have an eleven year old girl in my story. Willa July Calder was left orphaned when her mother dies but she was told to look for a man with a thunderbird drawing on his wrist. That would be her father. When she happens to see Creek’s, she’s convinced he’s her father and starts following him everywhere.
Thunderbirds were revered by Native Americans who believed the mythical birds carried magic and could protect the person.
I won’t give the plot away. The book is available for Preorder. This is Book 1 leading off a multi-author Gun For Hire series with two others of the books also available for preorder now. These are Sweet Western Romances and mine goes on sale March 15. Margaret’s will be available March 31 and Charlene’s April 15. There will be 10 altogether. Here’s the series link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTHVRM6K?tag=pettpist-20
Here are the rest of the series: Zane by Heather Blanton, Keith by Carra Copelin, Ash by our own Jo-Ann Roberts, Shad by Caroline Clemmons, Clint by Tracy Garrett, Landon by Cheryl Pierson, and Luke by another Filly Winnie Griggs.
We sure hope you’ll find these entertaining. Have you read a good western lately? If so, what is the title? Do you like westerns? Let’s talk. I don’t have any copies to give away yet but I will later on.
Here in the Texas Panhandle, we do love our cowboys. There's just something about a man in a Stetson and jeans that makes my heart beat faster. I'm not much of a cook but I love to do genealogy and I'm a bit of a rock hound. I'm also a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of historical western romance. You can contact me through my website and I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more. HAPPY READING!
https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules/
Thank you for this background information on wrist cuffs. I had no idea what they were. It’s amazing what you learn!
Have a great day!
Bonnie, even after all these years, I still find things I didn’t know. History isn’t in text books. It’s in every day living. Thanks for coming.
I’ve seen them on cowboys, but I wasn’t familiar with the term. The last western I read was by Vicki Lewis Thompson.
Denise, same here. I really like the looks of these wrist cuffs. They add another measure of toughness. Vicki Lewis Thompson really wrote some good westerns. I haven’t seen any in ages though. Have a blessed day and please stay warm. It’s so cold here in Texas.
VLT is an indie writer now.
I haven’t read a western in some time. The last one I did read was a space opera western by Craig Martelle called Darklanding. The main character reminded me of Clint Eastwood. lol It had action/adventure, clean romance, a planet, different spevies of “people” and humor. There was even a saloon ran by a Madam!
Carrie, thank you so much for coming. I’ll have to check out Dark Landing! That sounds right up my alley. Thank you. Have a good day and stay warm!
I’ve seen them on cowboys, but I wasn’t familiar with the term. The last western I read was by Vicki Lewis Thompson.
Ironically, she has an unusual connection to my husband’s family.
Denise, how interesting that Vicki has a connection to your husband and his family. She’s a neat person.
Apologies for the double post. There was an error message with the first.
VLT was my FIL’s neighbor as young children before her family relocated.
I read westerns all the time. Kate Condie is a favorite author. A Winters Vow is the last book in the series I am reading. Excellent!
I have never heard of wrist cuffs. But I can see the need to wear one. The new series looks awesome! I can’t wait for it to begin. Linda, the book cover is awesome! Congrats for writing another western. Creek’s story will be highly anticipated that’s for sure! Kudos!
Kathy, thanks for telling me about A Winter’s Vow! I’ll have to look that up. I’m always looking for a good book. I’m reading one Elmer Kelton’s son Steve co-wrote with John Bradshaw who is a member of Caprock Writers here. The title is The Familiar Stranger. It’s good.
Thank you for anticipating Creek! I really think it’s a story you’ll long remember. Love you, dear friend. Stay warm up there.
Love cowboys.
Heather’s bos…love rm
Deb, thanks for coming. You’re another western fan. YAY! Have a good day and stay warm.
Oh, Creek sounds good!! I’ve not heard of wrist cuffs, nor have I seen actors wear them in any of the westerns I’ve watched! You’d think they’d have picked up on these!! I read a lot of westerns! Five of the thirteen books I’ve read this year have been westerns!
Hi Trudy, you know, I’ve seen more wrist cuffs on bikers lately than I have on cowboys. I guess these modern ones don’t need to wear them. And I sure don’t know why western authors don’t put them on their heroes. Maybe they just don’t think about it. Like me. I’ve gone all these years and written nearly 50 books and I never put wrist cuffs on my heroes because I didn’t know about them. Have a blessed day and keep warm.
I do enjoy westerns but it has been a bit since I read one.
Debra, I’m so glad I could give you one. I think you’ll enjoy this story. It’s not all shooting and bad guys. There is one bad guy but it’s mostly Creek and this little girl. Thanks for coming. I sure hope you’re keeping warm. My electric bill is going to be sky high!
Wrist cuffs make sense since a working man’s cuffs often wore out before the rest of the shirt. I can remember my day’s fraying. Since there wasn’t an easy way to mend them, my mom would often save the rest of the shirt for cutting quilt pieces.
Exactly, Janice. The cuffs of my daddy’s shirts frayed as well. It’s really smart to save the rest of the shirt for quilting. My mom didn’t quilt so she made the shirts into cleaning rags. Have a blessed day and please stay warm. These temperatures are dangerously low.
Hey Linda! Last time I’m trying to post! LOL Jeeze. I should have known when Denise doubled posted something was up!
I only know about Victorian lace wrist cuffs. Interesting! Your book sounds good! I have read some Austin Grayson and Derek Levine westerns and a few other western authors—-mainly male authors. Sometimes you just want a good action western on a rough around the edges and loner cowboy! And who is justice minded and has a soft heart! Kinda like those Clint Eastwood movies!
Best wishes on your book and this series! I plan to read them since they are Unlimited Kindle! Yay!
Take care, my Texan neighbor!
(Crosses fingers and hopes this post submits!)
Here is the link to wrist cuffs. I’ve also seen some crocheted ones! I love them. I should make some! But, haven’t tried yet. Just search on Pinterest!
https://pin.it/HNw3aitWE
Tracy, I’m so sorry you and Denise had trouble posting. Thanks for the link. Those wrist cuffs for women are so pretty. Yes, we need to make us some. And I need to put them on my heroines! Not just the men. I hope you enjoy Creek. I added a link above in my post but here’s one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTHVRM6K
Have a blessed day. I can’t wait to see if you make some of these wrist cuffs. 🙂
I’d never heard of wrist cuffs so I found it interesting to read about. I like clean romantic westerns with a twist. Creek sounds like a very interesting storyline.
Karijean, I’m glad you post was interesting. I’m thankful for the information I found on them. I agree that clean westerns are hard to find. Also, Creek doesn’t have a lot of violence on the page and I think readers will appreciate that. Have a blessed day.
Have never heard of them. Fascinating article. The book sounds exciting.
Thanks for coming, Barbara. I’m really glad you enjoyed my post. I hope you also like the book.
Yes I knew they were to protect the wrist area from briars, thorns, etc when riding through rough country!
Teresa, you are much smarter than me!! Good for you. It’s always so nice to see your posts.
I have heard of wrist cuffs before but not sure where. Also I haven’t read a good western for a while. That what I used to read all the time. So I have been reading some other things lately.
Quilt Lady, if you read Regencies, the women wore wrist cuffs to save their dresses. Another fact, I just recently was that ladies back then added extra ruffled to the bottom of their dresses and when they got dirty and wouldn’t come clean, they took them off and threw them away.
Well, maybe you’ll give Creek a try if you’re itching for a clean western. I hope you like it. Thanks for coming to read my post. Have a blessed day.
I do love westerns.
Kim, thank you so much for coming to read my post. Westerns make for good TV show and books. Have a blessed day.
Good morning, I have seen the wrist covers but on Romans, I had no idea that Cowboys wore them and it makes sense , Thank you for sharing this. Your book sounds like a great read I will be on the look out for it. Have a Great day and a great rest of the week.
Alicia, that’s right! I had forgotten about the Romans. I sure don’t know what they called them. There’s no telling. If you try the book, I hope you like it.
The book covers look nice!
Bridgette, a cover designer and author of our third book in the series–Charlene Raddon–made the covers. She’s really good at making them. I’m so glad they catch your eye. Thanks for coming.
Sounds like a great line – good work ladies.
Susan, thank you so much. I really believe you’ll love each book in this series. Thank you for coming by. I hope you stay warm.
Linda, my book won’t be out until April 15. You said February. And I’d better go get busy writing. I know your book will be fantastic.
Charlene, I’m having the dickens trying to get stuff right today. I’ve fixed it to say April 15. Your covers are getting lots of attention. Everyone loves them. Each one is truly a work of art. You are so talented! Love you bunches! I’ve preordered yours and Margaret’s book and can’t wait to read them.
Linda, I’m so excited for our series to hit the “shelves” so to speak! CREEK LOOKS WONDERFUL. I always love a child in a story like this. I had noticed wrist cuffs a while back but really never took note of them. HOWEVER, the other day, I was watching Rawhide and I noticed Gil Favor had some on. It was one of the very earliest shows. I never thought about it, but it must not have been common for him to wear them or I might not have noticed he had them on. So, of course, my mission in life now is to pay better attention to the attire that those drovers/cowboys had on–they did look very nice on him!
Congratulations on CREEK, and you know I’ve already got it ordered up on my Kindle for the moment it releases!
Hugs, filly sis!
Miss Cheryl, thank you for preordering. I have preordered the others too and I can’t wait for you to get yours up so I can preorder it. Since you cut your teeth on westerns, I know your story Landon will be extra special. That’s interesting about Gil Favor on Rawhide. Yep, we’ve gotta pay more attention. They kind of just blend in with everything else. I hope we start getting warmer down here. Sure has been miserable. I really dread to see my electric bill. Love you dearly, sweet Filly sister.
thank you for sharing this information. I grew up on a farm and a lot of the older men (“cowboys”) would wear these while working around the ranch’s. so being the curious sort that I am I asked them what they were for. and they gave me all the answers you gave plus many more. it seemed it depended on what the man was doing. I grew up reading Louis L’ Moure and others. I love reading westerns. I love the series: High Sierra Sweethearts by Mary Connealy and Hymns of the West by Faith Blum.
Lori, how interesting. You’re way ahead of me and already knew what they were called and their uses. They’d come in mighty handy too if you were trimming rose bushes! Westerns are just in your blood. 🙂 Stay warm and have a blessed day.
I’m honored and excited to be part of this series. And I can’t wait to dive into Creek!
Congratulations, Linda.
Hi Tracy! Great to have you come over! I’m so excited for this series also. I know your book Clint will be so good. Wish they were all out now. I never was too good at waiting. I hope you’re staying warm and still enjoying your lake. Love you!
looks fun
Thanks for a really interesting post.
Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to read them.
I wondered what they were for and now I know ??????I knew I had seen them on Etsy too!!! They have the original style and now for girls and women a more dainty style!!! Thank you for the information on these ??????
I really enjoy westerns, but haven’t been able to read much of anything lately. We are still working on the flood and now it is winter house fire season. We have done 5 home fires in the past 10 days.
These covers are so different from the usual ones that you group of ladies usually have. It is a nice change and I really like them. I look forward to reading them.
Stay warm and take good care of yourself.
Satin gauntlets were part of my bridal attire on my wedding day! Didn’t know they were also called wrist cuffs. Found the info very interesting and I’m looking forward to reading your books, Linda!
Hi Linda, Love your blog really didn’t know much about these wrist cuffs. Yes, I LOVE western plots. Can’t wait to read your new book.
This is really fascinating. I love learning new things. It’s something I look for in books I read.