Featured in this lot is this Newton Porter Phoenix, Arizona batwing work chaps circa 1920 to 1940's. The chaps feature a wonderfully and professionally crafted leather and nickel construction that shows a tradition batwing design with basket woven tooled design to the waist band and is marked with makers mark buttons on the chaqps that read as follows: N. Porter - Phoenix, Ariz. Porter's chaps are very collectable. Newton started his business in Texas in 1875 and moved to Phoenix in 1895, where he established the N. Porter Saddle & Harness Company, which became one of the finest saddleries over the next 70 years. After Porter died in approximately 1906, his oldest son, Earl, took over the operation of the business, and he continued to institute the same business practices of his father until his death in 1925 when the business was taken over by Newton Porters youngest son, Fred Porter.The N. Porter Saddle & Harness Company remained family owned and operated until the closing of the business in the mid 1960s. N.Porter Saddles & Harness Company employed two dozen or more master craftsmen, who tooled and sewed the saddles. Their saddles were world famous for being among the finest made. Whether you call them chaps, leggings, bat wings, woolies, or chinks, the different styles of leather leg coverings are an important part of a cowboy’s gear. Derived from the Spanish chaparreras, they protect a rider’s legs from brush, thorns and the elements. Different leathers cut in various styles have been used but the basic purpose remains the same. Winged chaps, sometimes referred to as “apron chaps” or “batwings” began to appear in the 1800s. A product of the South Texas brush country, they provided protection to the lower leg and the wing was an extension of the fringed side flap on shotguns. The first wings were cut straight and were not excessively wide. Later versions tapered out from the legs and flapped when the wearer walked. Old time cowboys are typically pictured in batwing chaps. The condition of this pair of Newton Porter batwing chaps is well preserved with some wear to the leather from age and use but otherwise shows a well preserved condition. The measurements of this pair of chaps is good 37 1/2" x 1/ 1/2". The collective weight of this pair of chaps is 5lb 12oz. Provenance: Owned by Norton family, Opportunity, Montana.