This saddle was on the forum 3 years ago, thought I'd put it on again to see if there is any new or different info available from anyone. Three years ago, comments pointed me to the Bona Allen saddle from the mid-fifties, factory made. Any other info, not only about the maker's mark, is appreciated. Does anyone have an idea of value?
Here's the info I posted about it in 2013.
I have an old western saddle rescued from a camp's barn that is tooled all over except for the seat. The faintness of the tooling on the pommel and yoke and left fender indicate it was well used for a long time.There is some tooling on the cantle. It has conchos with leather strips. Behind the cantle, sewn to the skirt, is a leather tab with the number 485 stamped on it. I have searched all over for a maker's mark and didn't see one until I used a strong light. There MAY be a maker's mark in the center of the top of the horn. The mark is almost totally worn away, but I can see part of a circle. When using a pencil rubbing, there may be a sideways 8. After looking at Bona Allen maker's marks, I wonder if this sideways 8 is the top part of the 2 B's on the Allen mark. This mark on my saddle's horn would be small. Anybody have any info about saddle makers who placed their mark on the top of the horn?