I picked up an Indian Archery Senaca yesterday.  The Indian heat side plate leather is missing but the outline is still there fhat I can use for a pattern, so I thought I would go with that design. My question is what color leather did they use?  
My first real bow as a kid was an Indian archery bow, was my constant companion for several years.
As a side note. I picked it up at the local gun show, amazing how many folks wanted to talk bows while walking around with it.

I think most of the Indian-head side plates I've seen are black leather.

Thanks, didn't really matter but thought if I was going to go to the trouble of making one I might as well make it the right color.