Messing & Son - John Henry Messing
| Birth place or City of origin: | San Jose |
| State of origin: | CA |
| Last known City: | San Jose |
| Last known State: | CA |
| Start/Birth date: | 1860 |
| Death/End date: | 1914 |
John Messing was both in Prussia but settled in San Jose, California around 1850. He operated a tannery in Santa Clara for a few years before purchasing a harness business in San Jose in 1860.
In 1884 the business became known as H. Messing and Sons when his boys, Fred, Rudolph and John joined the company. Messing and Son in San Jose, California, was one of the earliest of the 19th century California bit and spur makers. They pioneered many of the silver inlaid styles and designs that would make buckaroo spurs world famous even though they did not employ resident silversmiths but instead buying from local makers like J.F. Echavaria, A. Larios, L. Gomez and members of the Hernandez family They are best known for their “Teddy Roosevelt” presentation spurs.
Their bits are usually marked on the underside of the mouthpiece, and their spurs on the outside of the heel band below the button.
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John Messing was both in Prussia but settled in San Jose, California around 1850. He operated a tannery in Santa Clara for a few years before purchasing a harness business in San Jose in 1860. In 1884 the business became known as H. Messing and Sons when his boys, Fred, Rudolph and John joined the company. They became of the earliest of the 19th century California bit and spur retailers ranking alongside San Francisco firms like Main and Winchester and L.D. Stone and local rival, F.M. Stern Messing pioneered many of the silver inlaid styles and designs that would make buckaroo spurs world famous even though they did not employ resident silversmiths but instead bought from local makers like J.F. Echavaria, A. Larios, L. Gomez and members of the Hernandez family. They are best known for their “Teddy Roosevelt” presentation spurs. Their bits are usually marked on the underside of the mouthpiece, and their spurs on the outside of the heel band below the button.
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Below: John Wayne's Personal Bohlin Spurs.
Price realized: $25,300.
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