Old West Spectacles

A "look" at eyeglasses and specs used by the pioneers.

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Our friends and collaborators:








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[johnraines]

My first pair were found on the San Jacinto battlefield still in the case. Dropped by a reenactor at sometime. They were given to me since I needed a pair and they couldn't find the original owner.

[lawrencelewis]

I had business dealings about 30 years ago with a guy who wore pince-nez glasses. It took a little getting used to. Then there was the young guy on the subway who sported a Colonel Klink monocle.

[GunsOfTheWest]

There is more info on Old-West glasses in this one video than I’ve ever learned over the years!

[davidlowen]

According to Henry Winkler, Richard Dean Anderson landed the role of MacGyver because of his readers.
Winkler and John Rich (producers of the show) were having readings to cast their main character.
They had plenty of pretty faces and athletic macho types, but were looking for someone also believably nerdy and vulnerable;
a more well-rounded persona.
Near the end of the day Anderson was handed several sheets of lines and asked to deliver them as he thought MacGyver would.
He read through the first page suitability well, but then began to squint and hesitate.
Finally he lowered the pages and said, "Guys, I'm sorry, but I have to get my glasses."
His candor and atypical vulnerability impressed them.
Winkler said he knew then they had found their MacGyver.
He never (to my knowledge)
wore them in any of his roles,
but I'm sure they were close
at hand. :)

[indigowolf]

That was pretty interesting. Never knew that about spectacles before thanks Santee☺️

[robertcole]

I know this video is 5 years old Just scored a pair of 1830's glasses in excellent condition with original case. And what's more amazing is that I see better through them than my current prescription. LOL. And cost only 38.00 dollars. Now I have also, a pair of 1700's glasses and case but reproduction from Townsends, and the ear pieces are flexible and wrap around the ears. This was an invention of Benjamin Franklin. Same as tinted glasses and bifocals. And bifocals were in 1789 I believe. I'd have to look it up again.

[mikechampion]

Great info on a subject near to my heart.mostly because of age. the amber tint tends to block out certain light spectrum. and helps greatly in keeping migrains and headache in check.if light is one of the bigger triggers.

[debbiekerr]

I enjoyed this video very much, and I learned something about eyewear on the old west. I had no idea that tainted lenses were available. Thank you for sharing this.

[utej.k.bemsel]

I have a pince-nez for sewing and beading and oval glasses for shooting.
Both are around a hundred years old.

[strider]

If anyone was wondering German silver has no silver, it is an alloy usually consisting of about 60% Copper 20% Nickel and 20% Zinc. It is the precurser to modern day coin metal

[bethcoddington]

Informative, and as always, loads of fun!!!

[conchocowboy]

Well, looks like you got this subject spot
on. Great video. Very informative. Thanks, Santee! ~ Will Killem

[bostonrailfan]

did you hear the one about the optometrist who fell into the eyeglass machine? he made a real spectacle of himself

Rex, you look great. they’ll help you hunt critters better to keep Mrs. Santee’s yard nice and pristine

[brianfuller]

This is always interesting as people have worn corrective lenses and reading glasses for centuries(spectacles). Very interesting video!

[RavenHawkCoins]

Santee!!! love your show man! I am back and will binge watch you in the near future :)

[mustang]

Nice informative video my friends . While visiting Laramie Wyoming I met up with a friend Steve Grabowski. He owns and runs his historic shop there called The Spectical Emporium . It's a wonderful place to learn the history of the specticals in the West plus much more. He still makes and fits glasses to this day . Check it out if that way . Lots of history there including murders and gunfight and the history of families out west ... Cheers .

[HealthPower]

Great video! Thank you! From now, I do not wear eyeglasses, but spectacles .

[MmartinaJ]

You always impress me with your videos edits and make me smile. There were quite a few funky shaped spectacles in the old days. Thanks for sharing Santee!👓🕶🖒🖒🖒🖒😊😊😊😊🌺🌺🌺🌺

[robertcole]

I have a pair from 1830's with original lenses. Lucky me, , , they're 1.25 magnification. LOL.
and came with the case. I love em!

[alexbaker]

Thanks. I had to watch the video cause I need to get some!!! Excellent job