Bootmaker
James “Smitty” Smith
James "Smitty" Smith bought the century-old Blucher Boots company in 2001 and moved it to Beggs, Oklahoma, where he still hand-makes every pair himself, down to the vamps and pull straps, on a sewing machine bought new in 1915. He follows the original 1915 catalog and what he calls "Gus Blucher's rules." A pair starts around $900 with roughly a two-year waiting list.
Known for
Hand-makes every Blucher boot from the original 1915 catalog
Related: Blucher Custom Boot Company
Biography
History
James “Smitty” Smith of Beggs, Oklahoma, hand-makes Blucher boots. Oklahoma Magazine reports that he bought Blucher Boots in 2001 and moved the shop to Beggs, where he makes each pair himself — including vamps, counters, and pull straps — on a sewing machine he says was bought new in 1915. True West (2 October 2006) says that he and partner Patrick Hale took over the company in 2001, and quotes Smith: “Nothing really has changed. We still use the 1915 catalog and follow Gus Blucher’s rules.”
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s finding aid confirms that Smith owns and operates Blucher Boots in Beggs and custom-makes every pair; News On 6 reports that a pair starts at about $900, takes roughly a month to make, and carries a two-year waiting list. No birth year survives for Smith.
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Historical references are cited with the history above.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.