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Hello, I recently came across a vintage Saddle for sale. The maker mark says Russell Saddle Co Oxford Alabama. The saddle has been stored inside for the past 40 years. I haven't been able to inspect closely, but detailed pictures show no cracking. A general search only came up with one other saddle by this maker. It went in an estate sale for 3000 two years ago. That saddle was fancier than what I am looking at, but all that I have found so far to go on. The ad for the sold saddle said 1950s. I was hoping someone had heard of this saddle maker. The saddle has detailed floral tooling, no silver. Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

Thank you for the replies. Oddly enough, Peggy Veach responded that the saddle was made in 94. It was made in MO, but was modelled after a saddle made by Lingle for a cowboy in S. FL. Someone went into a western store in Okeechobee (about 20 miles from me) and wanted another saddle just like it after Lingle died, which is when Veach started working directly with this store. I don't know the exact number of saddles made, but they stopped making them when the store changed owners. Yes, the latigo is attatched the same way on both sides. I was also curious about how the skirt was sewn together. I'm not sure the correct term, but the top skirt is sewn into the bottom. Apparently, there is also something interesting about how the stirrup and fender are hung on this saddle. Its definately a saddle that you can sit in all day. Veach said that to reproduce this exact saddle (all roughout, no bling) would cost $3000. This one is definately well worked out of, but still has a lot of life in it. How difficult would it be to change the lace up stirrups to a buckle?

I didn't receive any responses to my last post, but will try again since I thoroughly enjoy lurking around this site and learning all I can about saddles. I found out some information about the saddle in question from my last post. It is a Veach saddle, known as a "lingle" saddle due to the original designer, Floyd Lingle, who moved to south FL after working with Monroe Veach in the 1940s. According to the company, this saddle was only sold in Florida and I do know that this particular style of saddle is still very popular with the dayworking cowboy. I was curious about the rigging of this particular saddle, as it is very different from any other saddles I have seen. The tie strap is actually sewn into the saddle on both sides just behind the ring, which is much further forward than most saddles I've seen. Also, what is the deal with lace up stirrups? Is there an advantage to this that I don't see? (besides the fact that o thers don't ride in the saddle unless they share the same leg length...) This saddle is big on the mare in the picture, but fits my gelding beautifully which is not an easy thing to do. Any information behind the reason behind the style and construction is appreciated. *I'm having trouble posting pics at the moment for some reason, but pics can be seen here http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=26050

I am curious about any history and the value of this saddle. I have done a search for other saddles of this type, but haven't been able to find any similar, and all have been priced anywhere between $250 and $1500. I was told it is 10 yrs old, but it does appear older to me. It has the tie strap sewn into the saddle, no tooling or really anything significant besides some stitching on the fender. It does have some tears in the right fender. It has a high cantle and padding against the back of the seat. It has obviously been used in the past for working, but seems solid. Rawhide wrapped wood tree. It is incredibly comfortable. Any help here would be appreciated. It has the maker mark in 4 places on the saddle. Thank you for any advice that you may have to offer here.