Billy Klapper Bits & Spurs

Who was Billy Klapper?

Billy Ray Klapper was born April 19, 1937, in Lazare, Texas, and became one of the best-known traditional bit and spur makers of the modern American West.

After high school, Klapper worked as a ranch hand at the Buckle L Ranch near Childress and later at the Y Ranch near Paducah. His development as a maker was influenced by legendary Texas craftsman Adolph Bayers. Klapper made his first pair of spurs in 1966 and, as demand for his work increased, began making bits and spurs full-time in 1968.

Klapper became particularly known for traditional one-piece spur construction, shaping the heel band and shank from a single piece of steel rather than welding separate components together. His work was valued not only by collectors but by working cowboys and cutting-horse professionals who used his bits and spurs.

He later worked from Pampa, Texas, and remained closely associated with the cowboy and horse communities throughout his career. Klapper died September 10, 2024, at age 87.

In 2025, he was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame as a Legendary Bit & Spur Maker.

Klapper also appeared as himself on Yellowstone (Season 5, Episode 9, “Desire Is All You Need”) in a scene filmed in Pampa in August 2024; the episode aired in November 2024, two months after his death.

Klapper craftsmanship

One-piece construction

Klapper was known for a traditional method in which the heel band and shank were shaped from a single piece of steel rather than assembled by welding separate components. The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, his 2024 obituary, and Ross Hecox’s May 2018 Western Horseman profile, “West Texas Treasure,” all describe that one-piece approach.

Working-cowboy functionality

These were tools first. Working cowboys and cutting-horse professionals used Klapper bits and spurs in the arena and on the ranch. That working reputation is part of why collectors still look for his name, and why documented examples remain useful points of comparison.

Maker marks and pattern numbers

Billy Klapper pieces are commonly stamped KLAPPER together with a number. Published catalogs, auction records and collector listings use these numbers as pattern or style references, and the same number can appear on more than one piece. They should therefore not be treated as unique serial numbers.

Examples from our records include:

• Spurs marked KLAPPER 509
• Spurs marked KLAPPER 253
• A bit marked KLAPPER 222

The maker mark is important evidence when evaluating a piece, but the number alone does not establish provenance, date, rarity or authenticity. Construction, documentation, ownership history and comparison with known examples should also be considered.

Published pattern totals

Published sources do not completely agree on the total number of Billy Klapper patterns. His 2024 Carmichael-Whatley obituary and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame credit him with 682 different spur patterns and 816 different bit patterns. A 2018 Western Horseman profile reported 782 spur designs and 897 bit patterns.

Because those published totals differ, this guide does not treat either set as a definitive catalog count. What the sources consistently establish is that Klapper developed hundreds of bit and spur designs over his career and recorded his patterns systematically.

What should collectors look for?

Available from our shop

When we have Billy Klapper pieces in our shop, they appear here. Confirm price and availability on the live product page, which is updated as inventory changes.

Currently listed

Benny Guitron’s Personal Klapper Spurs

SKU WTP.SP220 · Mark: S 77 KLAPPER

A pair of Billy Klapper spurs formerly owned by noted horseman Benny Guitron. The spurs feature silver overlay and engraved decoration, with “B.G.” initials on the band and the stamped maker reference S 77 KLAPPER.

Single mounted, with finely engraved designs along the band and shank, 10-point rowels, engraved spur buttons, and tooled leather basket-weave straps with silver buckles. Heel openings 3"; band 1 1/8"; shanks 3" overall. The listing describes the pair as fairly modern and in good condition for age.

View Current Price & Availability

Previously handled by us

These documented examples remain useful collector references. Catalog prices shown are historical catalog figures from the original listings, not live asking prices.

Market context: Billy Klapper died September 10, 2024. The examples below note whether our documented sales or auctions occurred before or after his passing, since timing is important when comparing historical market results. Listing prices and unsold auction results are identified separately from confirmed sales.

Previously handled

Custom Billy Klapper #336 Bit, Made in the 1990s

Sold after his passing — April 8, 2026

Confirmed auction result: Sold for $8,000 (hammer)

Estimate: $2,500–$5,000

A custom Billy Klapper #336 bit dating to the 1990s, offered as WTP Item 304 in the April 8, 2026 Advanced Collector’s Auction. The bit sold for $8,000 against a $2,500–$5,000 estimate.

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Previously handled

#78 Billy Klapper Spurs Made in the 1990s

Sold after his passing — April 8, 2026

Confirmed auction result: Sold for $7,500 (hammer)

Estimate: $4,000–$8,000

WTP Item 305

A pair of Billy Klapper #78 spurs from the 1990s, offered as WTP Item 305 in the April 8, 2026 Advanced Collector’s Auction. The pair sold for $7,500 against a $4,000–$8,000 estimate.

• hallmarked KLAPPER 78
• silver-overlay designs engraved on the outer heel bands and shanks
• E.W. initials in overlay
• six-point rowels
• silver buttons
• tooled leather straps

The adjacent #336 bit, WTP Item 304, also carries E.W. initials. The two pieces were consecutive lots in the same April 8, 2026 auction.

View Auction Result

Previously handled

Billy Klapper Single-Mounted Spurs, #353

Sold after his passing — January 14, 2026

Confirmed auction result: Sold for $5,500 (hammer)

Estimate: $4,000–$8,000

WTP Item 410

Fairly modern — our description

A pair of single-mounted Billy Klapper spurs offered as WTP Item 410 in the January 14, 2026 Live Auction Event. The pair sold for $5,500 against a $4,000–$8,000 estimate.

• hallmarked 353 KLAPPER
• single mounted
• decorative silver-mounted accents
• drop shanks
• six-point rowels
• leather spur straps

View Auction Result

Previously handled

Billy Klapper’s Personal Spurs, #509

Sold after his passing — November 12, 2025

Confirmed auction result: Sold for $15,000 (Buy It Now)

SKU WTP.SP216

We sold this pair for $15,000 using the Buy It Now option in our Grand Opening Auction.

Made in 1991 per a letter signed by Billy; worn by him until sold in 1994 at a San Angelo, Texas, roping to Hall of Fame saddle maker and roper Bob Scott. Hallmarked KLAPPER 509; double mounted; ten-point rowels; steer head on one side, floral on the other. Two letters of verification accompany the lot. The catalog attributes the Briscoe-marked buckles to Billy Klapper’s son-in-law.

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Previously handled

Vintage Billy Klapper Spurs, #253

Sold before his passing — January 23, 2020

Our historical listing price: $2,995

SKU WTP.SP043

Single mounted floral silver, short shank, chap guards, roper style. Purchased in the late 1960s and held by the same family since; bought with the #222 bit. Hallmarked Klapper #253. Heel opening 3 5/8", bands 5/8", shanks 2" including the rowels.

Our records confirm that these spurs and the matching #222 bit sold approximately one hour after being posted in January 2020. The final transaction price was not publicly documented.

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Previously handled

Billy Klapper Horse Bit, #222

Sold before his passing — January 23, 2020

Our historical listing price: $2,995

SKU WTP.BIT043

Engraved silver shanks; moderate ported mouthpiece; stamp #222 on the mouthpiece. Late 1960s; same family; purchased with the #253 spurs. Mouth 5 1/4"; overall 6 7/8".

Our records confirm that this bit and the matching #253 spurs sold approximately one hour after being posted in January 2020. The final transaction price was not publicly documented.

View Previous Listing

Previously handled

Early Billy Klapper Spurs, circa 1971

Offered before his passing — September 7, 2019

Auction result: Not sold — high bid $1,300

Estimate: $2,000–$4,000

Our historical product-page price: $3,250

SKU WTP.SP033

Belonged to Adrian Berryhill of New Mexico and came back with him from the National Cutting Horse Futurity in 1971. The family does not know whether they were won as a prize or purchased there. Same family since. Hallmarked Billy Klapper. Heel 3 1/2", bands 1 1/4", shanks 2 3/4" including the rowels.

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Find Klapper pieces at auction

Billy Klapper pieces may appear periodically in our auctions. Browse current and upcoming auctions for available lots.

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Buying or selling Billy Klapper pieces

We handle collectible bits, spurs and other Western Americana through both our shop and auction platform.

If you are looking for a Billy Klapper piece, check our current shop inventory and upcoming auctions.

If you own Klapper bits or spurs and are considering selling or consigning them, contact us for an evaluation.

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