pgetha

I have this same saddle. Have had it for 30+ years. When I took it in to have the fleece re-done I was told it was made in the 1940's I would have to go take it out of its cover to check the number. I was told that this saddle was made at a time when a lot of custom, highly skilled saddle makers went to work for the new factories so it possesses the quality of a skilled craftsman. I'll take a photo of mine so we can compare..

I recently acquired an old Olsen-Stelzer saddle, given to me by someone cleaning out their Grandmother's house. It's an Olsen-Stelzer, appears to be very well made with brass rigging, very plain, rough leather with good fleece. It needs cleaning and lots of lubricating but overall, it is in good shape. I can't find much information on these saddles. There is lots out there about their boots but not much about the saddles. The saddle is a tank, very heavy and is stamped on the fenders with the maker's mark and 1167. No tooling, dark leather. The maker's mark reads Olsen-Stelzer, Makers Henrietta, Tex. Assuming the numbers are a production date or serial number?? Can anyone tell me anything about this saddle and what its value is? I will post an image once I get it cleaned up. It has a nice feel to it and is much different than my other saddles. It has a deeper seat and a riser up to the pommel. Roping Saddle perhaps? Definately a work saddle. The billet straps need to be replaced. Anything I can learn about this would be great. I like old saddles. I have a great condition old Hereford from the 1940's that I have owned over 30 years. I had it re-fleeced several years ago. The guy who did the work wanted to buy it.