Buford Tannen Costume

• Hat
• Coat
• Beard
• Shirt
• Neckerchief
• Trousers
• Belt
• Gun Belt
• Gun
• Boots
• Spurs
• Lasso
• Horse
• Movie

Well looky what we have here!

What you have here is just about everything you’ll need to create the best Buford Tannen Costume this side of Hill Valley! You are going to have enormous fun acting out Buford ‘Mad Dog’ Tannen. But first, there are a few things you might like to know.

Who is Buford Tannen?

In each of the Back to the Future movies we meet a member of the Tannen family. Each era’s ‘Biff Tannen’ bullies everyone he meets and throws a wrench in the plans of our intrepid time travellers, Marty McFly and Doctor Emmett Brown. In Back to the Future Part III we discover the raw personality of Buford Tannen, also known as Mad Dog on account of his hot temper and tendency to drool.

What is Buford like?

Screenwriter Bob Gale has described the character of Buford Tannen as ‘Biff’s worst intentions realized’ (you can find this interview in the ‘Making of’ Back to the Future DVD). Thomas F Wilson, the actor who brings the character of Buford Tannen to life, is said to have based his characterization of ‘Mad Dog’ on Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valence from the popular western film ‘The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance‘ (1962).

If you need any more help getting into character as Buford Tannen, then you have to watch Back to the Future Part III. It is fantastic to watch Thomas F Wilson bring Buford Tannen to life as he is unleashed on the wild west. You’re going to have a blast becoming Buford ‘Mad Dog’ Tannen and will be sure to rule the roost at any Halloween or costume party.

Just don’t get too carried away. After all, the sheriff’s in town and that court house is still waiting on its first hangin’!

Hat

Buford Tannen Hat

When it comes to seleting a hat to match with your Buford Tannen Costume, this black faux felt western cowboy hat is ideal. At a price that won’t break the bank, it is stylish, bears a close resemblance to that worn by Buford and is available in a wide range of sizes. This hat will be an invaluable addition to your everyday wardrobe and an excellent hat to have in your costume repertoire.

Description

Made of faux felt and fully lined, this wide brim western cowboy hat is available in black, brown and black with a red band. The crown measures 4 and a half inches while the brim is 3 and three quarter inches. This hat is available in a range of sizes up to 7 5/8 (24 inches).

Coat

Coat

Buford Tannen may be a colorful character but his dress sense comes in muted tones. Along with his black hat, several other items of his dress reflect the darkness of his personality, including his coat. Buford’s coat is long enough to come down just below his gun holster, has open lapels and a single row of buttons. It is made from a wool fabric but moves softly enough so that he can easily pull it back when engaging in a gunfight.

This black short coat is a great choice for matching with your Buford Tannen Costume. You will also find it versatile enough for other occasions. Conveniently, it is machine washable. Given the Tannen’s family history for run-ins with manure carts, that could be invaluable.

Description

This classic, long line coat is single breasted with front pockets and button closure. It is made from 50% Polyester, 40% wool, 5% viscose and 5% other fibres. Available in either black or camel color, this coat is available in a range of sizes from small to extra large. This coat is machine washable.

Beard

Beard

An important feature of Buford Tannen’s appearance is his straggly beard and long, handle-bar moustache. If you have been blessed with the necesssary facial hair or the time and inclination to grow it, then you are well on your way to being Buford Tannen. If neither of these are options, then we have a great beard and moustache combination that is going to help transform you into the mad dog marauder of Hill Valley, 1885.

Description

Made from synthetic fibres, this full sized beard and moustache is available in either brown or black. It arrives with double sided tape to secure the beard in place. **However, we recommend that you consider using a standard makeup tool device of spirit gum and spirit gum remover to ensure your beard stays in place as long as you want it and can be easily removed when you don’t. See below for beard glue details.

Beard Glue

Beard Glue

In order to maintain your mean, marauder, mad dog Tannen appearance, you are going to want that beard and moustache to stay in place for the duration. The best way to achieve this is by following the professional makeup artists’ methods and investing in a small quantity of spirit gum and spirit gum remover. Follow the instructions to ensure your beard stays in place and can be easily removed once the event ends and you hang up your spurs.

Description

This combination pack contains 1/4 oz of spirit gum and 1/2 oz of spirit gum remover. Made to a professional theatrical quality standard, this spirit gum and remover is ideal for special effects such as securing prosthetics including facial hair. It is easy to use and comes with an instruction card.

How do I use the spirit gum?

Attach Buford Beard

1. Paint spirit gum onto the area where the beard will attach
2. Tap the spirit gum until it is tacky
3. Apply the beard and secure the edges with additional spirit gum as required

Remove Buford Beard

4. Soak a cotton swap, brush or sponge with spirit gum remover
5. Work the remover under the beard edges
6. Keep applying remover in this way until beard has fully loosened

Shirt

Shirt

In contrast to his black coat and trousers, Buford Tannen wears a grey flannel shirt which is mostly obscured by his coat and large neckerchief. It is made from a warm, soft fabric that would have been practical for a cowboy lifestyle. A small collar is visible above his neckerchief and his shirt is loose fitting and comfortable.

Description

Made from 100% Cotton, this shirt is a midweight flannel fabric that is very soft and warm. It has two chest pockets, full button front closure down the front and button closure on the cuffs. Made in a regular fit, this shirt has a small spread collar. It is available in several colors including: blue heather, burgundy heather, charcoal heather, light grey heather and olive heather. In a range of sizes from X-Small to XX-Large, this shirt is extremely versatile and will co-ordinate with any number of outfits.

Neckerchief

Neckerchief

Far from wearing a neckerchief as a fashion accessory, cowboys had a number of practical uses for the “silk wild rags” they wore in the Old West. Tied around the face to cover the nose and mouth, a silk neckerchief was ideal to avoid the effects of choking on trail dust. Soaked in water, it provided a great way to cool down on a hot day. A handy neckerchief could also be used as a wipe-cloth, makeshift bandage, tourniquet, pot holder or even a flag. It is little wonder them, that Buford Tannen wears a large silk neckerchief around his neck.

Description

The neckerchief we have paired with your Buford Tannen Costume is maroon in color and measures approximately 35 inches square. The USA neckerchief shown is made from 100% silk. The UK neckerchief is made from 100% Polyester. Both neckerchiefs are silky smooth to the touch and are lightweight. They can be handwashed or dry cleaned and are available in a wide range of colors.

Trousers

Trousers

Traditionally, cowboys would wear clothes that were practical. A cowboy’s choice of trousers would be steered by the need to find something hardwearing and in a color that would help hide the dust. Buford Tannen’s trousers are as black as his heart and as tough as his demeanour.

The pair of trousers we have selected to pair with your Buford Tannen Costume are a practical pair of 100% cotton regular fit jeans in a strong black color. These trousers are a great match with those worn by Buford Tannen in Back to the Future III. Furthermore, they are a practical, versatile pair of trousers to have in your everyday wardrobe.

Description

Made from 100% cotton, these jeans are practical and comfortable. Cotton is an ideal, natural fabric allowing ventilation and freedom of movement for a durable, comfortable fit.

These regular fit jeans have zipper closure with a top button, the standard 5 pockets and they sit naturally on the waist. They are available in a range of colors including: vintage blue grey, dark rinse, khaki, light stonewash, dark stonewash and storm. These jeans are available in a range of sizes from: 28W 30L to 42W 34L.

Designed for practicality and comfort, these jeans are great for any number of costumes requiring regular fit jeans. You will also find these versatile jeans an invaluable addition to your everyday wardrobe.

Belt

Belt

Along with his gun belt, Buford Tannen also wears a brown leather belt around his trousers. Cowboy belts would have been fashioned from leather with a simple buckle design. The belt we have selected to pair with your Buford Tannen Costume is a handmade, plain, brown, leather belt. This is a great accessory to have in your everyday wardrobe and can look great with any number of outfits.

Description

This stylish belt is made from 100% Full Grain leather. This is a quality belt that is soft and durable. At 1.5 inches wide, it is available in 4 different lengths to co-ordinate with trouser waist sizes as follows: 26-29, 30-33, 34-38 and 38-42. The colors available consist of black, brown and burgundy and there is some style variation in respect of the buckle.

Gun Belt and Holster

Gun Belt and Holster

Much of Buford’s appearance is grubby and unkempt. His gun and gunbelt however are in pristine condition. To say Buford is trigger happy would be an understatement. Given the gun play skills he demonstrates it is fair to assume he is well practiced with a gun and would do well in a fair gunfight; not that we see much evidence of fair play from Buford Mad Dog Tannen.

Interesting Fact: Following a showdown with Sheriff Strickland, Buford shoots him in the back and kills him. The murder is witnessed by the sheriff’s young son. As this scene was considered too dark, it was deleted from the final film. This is why the deputy and not the sheriff arrests Buford and the charge of murdering the sheriff is dubbed over.

Description

This beautifully hand tooled floral embossed western antiqued right handed gun belt is made from highest quality leather. Designed to hold a Colt 45 single action revolver, the holster can comfortably take guns with up to a 6 inch barrel length. Guns with longer barrels may protrude beyond the holster.

Alternative configurations

This gun belt is available in various configurations including right handed, left handed and double holster. If you already own a 38 revolver, you will be pleased to know that this belt is also available for 38 calibre guns. The manufacturers of this fine belt supply a whole range of cowboy treasure. Check out their Modestone USA Store or their Modestone UK store for lots more cowboy goodies.

Gun

Lonestar 45 Revolver

Buford’s primary chosen weapon is a Colt 1873 Single Action Army Revolver. This revolver came to be known by other names including Colt .45, the Frontiersman and the Peacemaker. It is the weapon associated with the most famous duelists and marksmen of the old west including “Wild Bill” Hickock, William H. “Billy the id” Bonney and the Earp brothers. For that reason, it also became know as “The Gun That Won The West.”

Description

“The Single-Action Army Revolver was produced in several forms and many calibers from 1872 to 1940, with production totalling about 350,000 pieces. As its introduction coincided with the settlement of the Wild West, the names Peacemaker and Frontier Six-Shooter were popularized. Made for both military and civilian use, most were produced in 45 caliber. This non-firing replica carries the star of Texas on the wooden grip.” ~ Denix Lonestar .45 Revolver – Non-Firing Replica

Theatrical Replica

This non-firing revolver replica is a great gun to have as a prop for theatrical performances or elsewhere where metal props are permitted. It has a realistic weight, the hammer cocks and the trigger works. The cylinder rotates which makes it great for doing some fancy cowboy gun spins.

The full length of the gun measures 11.25 inches. It is cast in metal with a wooden handle. You will find the lonestar of Texas emblazoned on the handle. This is a great gun replica to take your Buford Tannen Costume to the next level and put all those ‘gutless yellow pie-slingers‘ in the shade.

Buford’s Backup

At the town shindig, we learn that Buford also carries a concealed back up gun, a small, single shot .22 calibre Derringer. When Buford attempts to shoot an unarmed Doc Brown, Marty comes to Doc’s rescue by striking Buford’s hand with a “Frisbie” pie plate.

Boots

Boots

Leather was at a premium in the old west and the boots that Buford Tannen wears are a high leg, brown leather boot with a modest heel. Much like everything Buford wears, with the exception of his gun, Buford’s boots have a distressed look.

Description

These quality boots are made from 100% leather. The shaft of the boot measure 10.5 inches from the arch, with a heel measuring apporoximately 1.5 inches and a platform measuring half an inch approximately. These boots are pull on, with a generous 15″ opening. There is a choice of colors including: earth / brown bomber, wicker, brown and scratched earth. They come in a range of sizes from 6 to 15 and that includes wide fittings and half sizes.

Spurs

Spurs

In the gunfight scene where Marty steps out of the saloon, little can be heard other than the clock striking the hour in the background and the jingle jangle of Buford’s spurs as he steps backwards ready for a showdown. A pair of spurs on your boots is a great way to embellish your Buford Tannen Costume. Attach a pair of these to your boots and you too can jingle menacingly when you walk. Just like Buford!

Description

These are heavy duty authentic spurs, not just for decoration. Their design has been inspired by those worn by the real Clint Eastwood in A Fistful of Dollars, A Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Constructed of stainless steel and held in place with dark brown leather straps, these spurs have been designed to fit most boots, regardless of foot size. These quality spurs are the product of expert craftsmanship.

Lasso

Lasso

Having a prop to work with is a great way to convey a character when wearing a costume. An iconic moment in Back to the Future III is when Buford Tannen lassoes Marty on the main street of Hill Valley. Marty is dragged the length of the street until they arrive at the court house, where Buford intends to give the new court house its first hanging. Fortunately, Doc Brown arrives in the nick of time to save Marty.

Interesting Fact: While Buford Tannen was trying to lynch Marty in front of the court house, Michael J Fox was accidentally hanged, rendering him unconscious for a short while. Michael J Fox refers to this incident in his autobiogrphy “Lucky Man”.

Description

This twisted nylon lariat ranch rope is waxed and has a hand sewn leather burner. It measures 30 foot in length and has a diameter of 7/16 of an inch in diameter. This is a strong, durable, quality rope. Adding a Lasso to your Buford Tannen costume could make a great prop, particularly if you have a partner dressed as Marty McFly.

Hobby Horse

Hobby Horse

If you want to add another dimension to your Buford Tannen Costume and bring a little levity to the party, why not add one of these hobby horse ride-along ponies? It’s easily portable, can be used to recreate memorable scenes from the movie and is sure to get a few laughs. If you have a partner dressed as Marty McFly, you could have some great fun inventing antics, especially if you have been practicing your roping skills.

Description

Your Black Giddy up pony is made from high quality materials and is ready to go on a ride. Measuring 37 inches in length, this hobby horse consists of a plush horsey head and a long wooden stick with a capped end. You will be delighted to find that when you press your horse’s ears he lets out 2 dfferent sounds. Whilst one ear triggers a galloping sound, the other makes your pony let out a neigh. Your pony also comes with a fabric bridal with velcro safety release.