Bootmaker
Buck Steiner
Thomas Casper “Buck” Steiner (1899–2001) was an Austin rodeo cowboy who founded Capitol Saddlery, a saddle and boot shop, in 1930. He is remembered today as a National Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee and the founder of the shop where bootmakers including Charlie Dunn later worked, rather than as a bench maker himself.
Known for
Founder of Capitol Saddlery; National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Related: Charlie Dunn
Biography
History
Thomas Casper “Buck” Steiner was born in Cedar Creek, Bastrop County, Texas, on 2 December 1899, and died on 14 May 2001. He started Capitol Saddlery, a saddle and boot making shop in Austin, in 1930, according to the Handbook of Texas; a rodeo hall-of-fame profile instead says he opened the shop only after retiring from active rodeo competition, without giving a year.
Steiner was remembered primarily as a rodeo cowboy and shop owner rather than as a bench maker himself. The hand bootmakers associated with Capitol Saddlery over the years included Charlie Dunn and Ramon Navarro.
Sources
Identification and markings
Maker-specific markings guidance has not been documented yet. Preserve the complete stamp and compare it against dated sources.
Sources and references
Historical references are cited with the history above. Each catalog record includes its own supporting evidence.
Encyclopedia references: CowboyBootsDB and maker archives linked where available. Historical dates and attributions can vary by source.