Blucher Boot Website

1948 G.C. Blucher Boot Co. Catalog No. 30

The Blucher Boot Company website is no longer published. A friend and fellow collector asked me if they’re still making Cowboy boots. I talked to Smitty a couple of weeks ago and yes, they’re still doing what they do best. Making the finest Cowboys boots one pair at a time.

Smitty’s not much on computers, email or the web. “Show me a computer that can make a pair of boots. Maybe then.” I don’t think renewing the Blucher website is at the top of his list. I doubt it’s even on the list.

Understandably so. Blucher is a small shop. They make Blucher Cowboy Boots. Favored by cowboys from the Great Basin, Smitty and crew continue to make the same cowboy boots Gus Blucher made famous many years ago. Smitty understands and has a deep respect for the tradition and history of the “brand.”

Here’s some boots in the G.C. Blucher Boot Co. Catalog No. 30. The catalog was included in a Self-Measuring Kit mailed in 1948. I'm in the process of digitizing the entire kit and catalog. I'll post it when it's complete.

"Tested and Proven by Stirrup, Weather and Time."

Blucher Boot Company still makes these styles...

and all the other styles in this catalog.


"Shop Made Expressly For You!"

Interested in a pair of Blucher Cowboy boots? Classic Traditional Cowboy Boots. They're the Best. Talk to Smitty. He’s a helluva nice guy. He'll "boot you up" right.

G.C. Blucher Boot Co. Catalog 30: Collection: J. Davis

Hank Williams & Dixon’s Boots

Hank & Audrey Williams with The Drifting Cowboys

Hank Williams was a star. He admired Ernest Tubb, especially Tubbs' Cowboy boots. Hank had the money and could make the time and he told Tubb that he wanted some Cowboy boots like his. Tubb loved Dixon’s Cowboy boots... wore them all the time. Tubb replied that Hank was welcome to come with him when Tubb picked up his new custom boots in Witchita Falls.

Ernest and Hank walked into Dixon’s Boots on a fine Saturday morning. Saturdays’ were busy days at Dixon’s. That was the day cowboys, ranchers and their families came to town. Hank was excited, he started going through boxes of boots like a child on Christmas morning. Cowboy Boots and empty boxes were scattered all over the shop.

Downtown Saturday Afternoon Show

Andy Dixon, a man known to have a short fuse, was getting irritated by the mess Hank was making. He told Tubb he’d best “reel that little Alabama roughneck in before I do.”

“That boy never had two nickels to rub together but all of his pockets are filled with cash today. And he’s going to spend it on Dixon's boots.” was all Tubbs had to say.

Andy managed to rein in his anger. Hank bought the best Cowboy boots Dixon’s had that day... and kept coming back for more.

Honky Tonking in his Dixon's Boots

Here’s a pair of PeeWee style Dixon’s Cowboy Boots made when Hank Williams and a host of other Grand Ole Opry stars bought their Cowboy boots from Dixon’s.

The boots are still with us.















There's more about the Dixon boys and their boots in these archived posts. 9.08.07: Dixon's Boots and 8.10.07: Andy & Noble Dixon.

Photography: J. Davis

Long time coming…

Finally, a bootmakers take on the art and craft of Cowboy boots. In the forward to her new book, Cowboy Boots: The Art & Sole, Jennifer June suggests that we "Walk loud. Stand tall. Step forward." and she does exactly that.

June’s a Cowboy boot nut. She’s also an accomplished bootmaker and an ideal author for such an epic of the Cowboy Boot. She knows. She has lived the life of which she writes. She’s worked and played in Cowboy boot land; it’s people are her friends and it’s ways are hers. She understands the Cowboy Boot intimately, not only as an observer but as a participant.

Straight out and well written, this book is crammed with excellent photography by Marty Snortum. Dwight Yoakkam’s appreciation is informed and sets the tone for what’s to come. Vintage boots. Custom boots and their makers. Factory boots. They’re all here.

Most importantly, June shines a deserving light on many lesser known master bootmakers. Duck Menzies, Richard Cook, McGuffin Custom Boots and Riff Raff Leatherworks are just a few that come to mind. All are artists in their own right. They deserve your support.

Jennifer Junes’ passion for bootmaking combined with her love of Cowboy boots is obvious throughout her book. I’m not an easy critic… this book earned its’ place on my book shelf. It should be on yours too.

My hat’s off to you Jenn... you walk like you mean it.

Dixon's Boots

Andy and Noble Dixon learned the craft of bootmaking from their father Henry J. Dixon, a preacher and part-time bootmaker. In 1946 the two brothers set up shop in Wichita Falls, Texas.

The Dixon brothers started off making baby and children's shoes. West-Tex Boot Company was across the street from their shop. Andy bought the West-Tex scrap to make “kiddie” shoes... premium hides were reserved for their Cowboy boots.

Andy was the “front man” and fitter. Noble was the bottom man. Both took pride in what they made. They soon established themselves as quality bootmakers of classic Cowboy boots.
With over thirty different kinds of leather in stock, Andy and Noble created some very fancy Cowboy boots. Their “Hollywood” toe was the best pointed toe ever. Still is as far as I’m concerned.

Many top bootmakers practiced their craft and earned their rep at Dixon’s. James Edward Smith, aka Smitty, and Jay Griffith are two that come to mind.

Here’s a pair that were made when Smitty and Jay Griffith worked for Noble. Andy had retired and Jay was pretty much running the business. Noble sold the business in the late 60s. Jay moved on to Guthrie, Oklahoma and set-up shop. Smitty moved on and runs Blucher Boot Company these days.



Dixon’s Boot Company clients included Gene Autry, Ernest Tubb, John Wayne, Jack Dempsey, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams Sr., Cowboys, businessmen and a host of other Nashville and Hollywood celebrities.

Check out my 8.10.07 post for more Dixon's Boots...

Photography: J. Davis

1930s Acme Cowgirl Boots

An excellent pair of PeeWee cowgirl boots from the mid to late 1930s. Made in the day when Jessel Cohen and Acme made an outstanding Cowboy boot. Beautifully proportioned and very well made, these boots are a great example of the high quality boot Acme Boot Company produced back then. Boots like these, along with some savvy marketing, made Acmes’ "rep". By the early 40s, Acme was the largest manufacturer of Cowboy and Cowgirl boots. It remained the largest manufacturer of Western boots style until the 1980s.

Acme remained the largest manufacturer of Western boots until the 1980s.









World War II created a dilemma for Cowboy boot makers. The finest hides were destined to become boots for our troops. The shortage of high quality hides forced Acme and other boot makers to work with lesser quality hides and incorporate “new” materials like cardboard and metal nails into their manufacturing process.

Some did it well. Some not so well. And some chose not to do it all.

Photography: J. Davis