I have been searching for a pack saddle that is period correct and correct bucks for a donner pack saddle to clone and market for quite awhile.
Finally found one and now I just have to disassemble it and fabricate the wood parts in my shop.
I plan on making 12 of these for myself along with a dozen or two furniture grade lacing horeses and to barter with.
I just got off the phone with a forum sponsor (which all always use as they help pay the bills here) "Siegels Of Cali" and inquired about skirting leather for the leather straps on the rigging. I'm thinking 10-12 oz but leaning toward 12-14 oz just for strength sake.
Any constructive input would be much appreciated.
Deadeye
P.S. I am going to strip off the nasty green paint off, re-sand it, restore the leather and set it in my western rooms for display as one of the bucks has been cracked and reenforced with a mending plate as pictured. I suppose I could just replace it.
Here is a pic someone sent me of some rigging. Looks some what OK as far as quality goes. I would have used latigo for the back side of the breaching though. The strap that runs across the bars that connects to the upper front quarter strap and the back strap is suppose to be one piece. Looks to be way to much strain on the bucks.The Saw Buck leaves alot to be desired as far as quality goes also.
These two pics show a correctly rigged pack saddle.
More pics and updates to follow.