Echo4V

I have barely gotten my toes wet as far as leatherwork goes and I have never made a holster at all, so please understand this question comes from a complete novice. I want to make a paddle holster to hold my S&W M&P .40 so I would like to get some information. If any of you folks make paddle holsters, how do you make the paddle sturdy enough to support the weight of the holster? What size leather do you make holsters with? In case anyone is not sure what I'm talking about here is a link to a paddle holster on a sales site. http://www.tactical.com/leather-angle-adju...e-holsters.html Thanks in Advance David

Just wanted to say, I really like your site and that you have an easily understood way of explaining things. I think that your cleaning and restoration link should be added to the front page of this site like vest making tutorial etc. David

Here is a good shot of a military version 1904 McClellan notice the difference in the pommel shield and that the seat size is marked on it even though you can't really read it in this picture. Also notice the saddlebag post in the center of the cantle. This is a cavalry version, if it were an artillery version there would be a d ring right under that saddlebag post. Hope this helps David

There are a lot of factors that go into the value of this saddle. It's a 1904 style saddle ( there is a later model that had fenders like an english saddle added to a 1904 model--the later style is called the 1928 model) but as to the value of the saddle it's very hard to tell without having the saddle in front of me but there are a few ways to tell if it's more valuable or less. 1 Does the saddle have any date stamps on it? Ussually they are on the quarter straps ( the strap that crosses the pommel and cantle) 2 Do any of the items that are not orriginal to the saddle have date stamps ( the stirrups and stirrup leathers and cinch ring straps and the safes are obviously off a different saddle but how old are they?) 3 What size seat is it?( the seat sizes were 11 11 1/2 and 12 and were marked on the pommel shield) 4 Do you have any more of the coat straps?( that strap that is run through the slot on the pommel is called a coat strap) 5 What does the bottom look like? ( some of these saddles had fleece under the bars and some didn't, did yours? if so does it still?) 6 Is it a millitary or civilian version ( military versions had the seat size stamped in the pommel shield civilian versions didn't) 7 Is it an Artillery saddle of Cavalry saddle? ( Artillery saddles had a D ring on the pommel and the cantle Cavalry saddles didn't This ring will look like a crupper D ring) 8 Is the saddle bag post still there? Actually, I just took another look at your last picture and this is a civilian version saddle(that doesn't mean it's not still worth something) I noticed in the picture from the rear top of the saddle that the pommel has the civilian shield with no seat size marked on it and it never had the saddle bag post. Those are two big indicators that this was a civilian version of the 1904 McClellan Saddle. Supposedly there were more of these than of the military version but I have never seen a civilian McClellan in person ( I have seen the military version of several different eras) so I don't know if this would be more or less valuable. It would really help to know the year it was made. I wish you luck in finding someone who can acurately value this saddle for you, if you want a good guess put it on Ebay with all the info you have on it then see what it brings. There are ways of auctioning an item without selling it on ebay, then at least you will have an idea of what a collector would pay for it. David

Just a plug to say that ArtS none of the photos you posted are on this thread anymore.

WOW. Really, I'm amazed. I've been looking for this exact saddle for over 3 years. I haven't been able to find a wade tree saddle that doesn't have huge skirts. I ride a lot of colts for people and I like a very short skirted saddle because of the different lenths of horses' backs. I would like to pick your brain about this saddle but I don't want to take over your thread so I'll ask the questions and if you want to pm the answers that's fine. 1. What is the weight of the saddle? 2. What is the swell width? ( I've sat on a lady wade and I noticed the slimmer swell width felt better to me than my "man's" wade) 3. What is the skirt length and rigging set? ( from the picture it looks 3/4 rigged but I'm not sure) I have more questions but I'll restrain myself until I get these answers. Thanks David

I like this one... http://mysite.verizon.net/imagelib/sitebui...&title=1918 Saddler's Chest

Everyone-Thanks for the welcome and the good advice. Swede-I have been reading every thread I run across on here and I figured I'd go ahead and introduce myself so I'm not unexpected when I start asking questions. I knew about the edge beveler but I didn't know about wetting and slicking the edges so, thanks for the first usefull tip I've gotten from this forum. Hopefully, just the first of many. Art- Thanks for the info on the clinic. I'd like to go to something like that. I'm actually your neighbor as I live in Cartersville.

Hello, I'm really not a leatherworker (per se) I have made a few items for myself and friends, mostly horse tack. So I don't do this for a living more like a necessary hobby. I am very interested in getting more involved and learning the craft and my ultimate goal is to build myself a saddle. So if anyone would like to offer me tips on the best way to get started in the craft, please feel free. David