Thank you. I'm hoping that enough spitballers will help me get it figured out.
I believe these hides were from Auburn Tanning before they sold out to China for their lace (not sure what all they are doing now in house) regardless, they had an entire separate facility that would color the hides. So, these we not colored in the tanning process. Anyway, perhaps the clue lies in their process. I still have a great opportunity with 4000 lbs of cowhide to purchase and I can not seem to get it figured.
Thanks again for your response.