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Hello all! I haven't really posted on here before, been more of a lurker haha. Recently, while I was at work, a man came around selling some tools and leather that he had extra. I'm fairly new to leather working (about 7 months), but I have heard tell that some tools are better quality than others in the long run. I have been anticipating a chance to get some better tools so when he pulled out some punches that are branded "AS BRAND" and an "Al Stohlman" belt punch, I quickly offered to buy them as I recognized the name. In heinsight, I should have inspected them a bit closer. A couple of the punches are damaged (See pics). I can't find any information on them online and was hoping someone could fill me and let me know if they can be fixed and/or if it would be worth while. I'm kind of leaning on; I should have looked closer and passed on them but hoping I can still get use out of them. The fact that they are already damaged and I can't find any information on them does not give high hopes for the others. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you (:

Hello everyone, I am hoping someone can help me identify this rather unique (to me) leather-crafted object I've acquired. It is a reverse cone hanging from a strap with six slits in the top. Attempts to use Google Lens just gave me a variety of studded leather items, none of which even approximated a match. If anyone here would be kind enough to give me some insight into what it is I have, I would be very grateful. I have provided links to photos of the object on my OneDrive account below. Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Thank you so much! Tim Mauldin

Does anyone know anything about H.H. Schweitzer saddles out of Matador Texas? I have two saddles inherited from my great great grandfather and great grandfather. I know one was made for my great great grandfather, and don't know where the other one came from. I posted a few pictures, they aren't the best, but at least you can see what I'm talking about. If anyone has any info on the maker I would greatly appreciate it.

As mentioned in another section of the forum, I acquired this 45Ks.V83 last week from FB marketplace. Made in 1916 with three generations in one family, I was so damn excited to find a machine preserved in almost working order. Was also fascinated as the seller shared their family story. I had been looking for a cylinder arm to assist with my work for over eight months. Being an avid Singer fan for over 30 years had me scrambling to make to 1100km trip to pick up this beastie. The renovation went well. Before I had picked up the machine I had some vague dreams of mounting it back on a treadle stand. Two things brought this to an end. 1) the weighted flywheel on the original stands is very rare here in oz. Found some stands but alas not the 2 or 3-geared wheel. 2) when I got the machine the motor and gearing setup was endearing for its history and age. The cast iron stand was also an Australian-manufactured frame. Some questions I hope to share and explore with the talented brains trust here = 1) Can anyone shed light on this version?? 45Ks.V83? The 'V83' is not listed in any archive I can find from Singer at the time (serial no. lists it from the Clydebank Factory. 1916. One of 1500 45k. Quite a big batch. Gearing up for war manufacturing????) 2) Any light on the 's'. Had assumed it was 'Saddler' but only as I had seen it in the factory inventories occasionally. As Stewey mentioned this is unlikely as most of these would enter the saddlery trade regardless. Agree that it could mean 'special' but am wondering is others might have insight. 3) the rectangle work plate has also been hard to find in manuals and catalogues from the time. Stewey also mentioned he had these on his. Is it possible that these were for the Australian market or do others have these plates?? Oval is listed in special order lists from the period. Anyhoo... Adding images of the reno for those interested in the Singer 45K and the next person who might be looking for anything on these wonderful leather stitchers. . Big thanks for this site and the effort everyone has put in to support the community and subject. All the best. More progress pics And the last

Who is J B Chumbley 1979 western saddle

After extensive digging through all I can find online, I'm at a loss as to what McClellan I've ended up with. As a live-long over of these saddles, I finally found one at an auction. It's in great shape, but does not appear to be a reproduction--but I can't be sure about this and am looking for more info. Some features look like the artillery one and some look like the pack style, but it's not a mule model from what I see/can compare to others on the web. Saddle has: double rigging, quarter straps are not attached by use of the halter square, stirrup hangers are brass or maybe copper--not iron, rigging rings have leather heart-shaped safes with real wool padding, but no fleece anywhere else on the saddle and it's clear that's the way it always was--it's NOT that the sheepskin is damaged or missing. No saddle horn. Lower rigging/girth is gone and replaced by modern latigo. Blanket straps have brass pieces to prevent them from detaching from saddle--all look original but one. It's marked as 12" and does fit me (smaller female) and it does fit me. I can't imagine it fitting any modern sized male. There are no maker marks anywhere that I can see. Note pics on the cantle end of tree, where I put arrows--are these quick connects for saddlebags? I do not know the name of this hardware and I don't see it on any other saddles anywhere. What is this hardware piece called? Any help on identifying this saddle? Amanda, in WV

Hello, my name is Jennifer. I came across this saddle and it has sat in my house for a while now and I never looked at the maker mark until yesterday when I then discovered the maker to be William N. Porter. I am wondering if anyone could tell me anything about this saddle the number under the left fender is Q00160. Also why does this saddle have a maker mark that includes the name "William" before the N. Porter and why does the mark have a saddle instead of a Bull head? So much to learn with authenticating old western tack! Also if this saddle is a real N. Porter I am amazed at how great of condition it is In aside from the mold that it was covered with when I got it. Other than that, it is in fabulous condition and the leather is sooo supple and soft. Any info is greatly appreciated and I look forward to learning what I can about it!:) Edit. I am having difficulty uploading even 1 photo. Any suggestions? Thanks!

I have an old youth western saddle, marked "Ruby Lee, Red Bluff, Calif." that I'm trying to date and price. I believe it was made by Louie Minglero, but know nothing else. What research I've done hasn't yielded much. The saddle was a cheap eBay find years ago, and that may be all it is, but it's lovely and old enough that I'd like to know more if possible. I will upload photos and more details. Any advice or insight would be appreciated - this seemed to be a very knowledgeable forum. TIA!

Hey there folks, I was hoping that someone on this fine forum could help me out with the identification of a Bona Allen saddle. Any information will help me such as the year, the model, the authenticity, what type of horse it was intended for, typical materials used, or even any special manufacturing practices used for this saddle. It came into my family in 1969 and by then the leather was already well-worn, chewed by the cattle (See Photo 4), and left to hang and to endure the Canadian elements in the barn. As far as I know, the family which the saddle came from was raising ponies for local fairs and photo events. This could be possible since the decorative workmanship is somewhat ornate (See Photo 2). Is it correct to assume that it was meant for ponies? It measures around 16"-17". I placed a standard-sized CD on the saddle to give you an idea of the size (See Photo 4). I believe that the cinch and the stirrups were both replaced in a local repair shop years ago (See Photo 1). In this repair shop, the man had been thrilled that the saddle was an original Bona Allen. The barely-visible letters B and A on the front underside of the saddle seem to attest to his words (See Photo 3). Here are four photos and I will provide any additional information that may help. All suggestions are welcome since I don't have much experience in identifying saddles. Thanks, CanadianCam

I came across a batch of old rusty leather working tools (various stamps, edgers, etc. - 26 pieces in total). I have two main issues on which I would appreciate some of your ideas: 1. identifying the intended use of particular tools 2. getting them back to performance Looks like a belt end punch with a slot ... but is closed at the back, so it is something else, I guess ... Looks like an edge beveler ... but the grooves are upside down, and there is no groove in the front - it ends with a point Looks like a round stylus of sorts ... but way oversized (the grid is 1cm x 1cm, or about 3/4"), so maybe for stamping ball imprints? And this is a batch of what looks like stamps, punchers or cutters. Leaf and flower designs, oversized again. Were they used for cutting out patterns, or for stamping their shape? Has anybody seen something like this before, and knows for what products/style they were used? There are other tools as well, but I did not include them here because they kind of make sense to me already, and there is a limit on total files upload size. The second issue is more practical ... how to restore them? Rust is heavy. I was thinking of using distilled vinegar, and afterwards oiling and scrubbing them with steel wool. Sharpening would probably be done by using sandpaper on a stick. Any experience?

Back in 1988 when I was 6, my dad purchased this saddle for me second hand even though I didn't have a horse and could only take lessons sporadically. As you can imagine, I was quite the happy kiddo! My own saddle, wow! It had definitely seen better days and had a repaired crack in the cantel, so he got it at a discount. It has sat in our various storage areas over the years. And now that we are finally living in a house where I have room to set it out I want to clean it up and set it up properly. Who knows...maybe I'll still get to put it on my own horse some day. I have crawled all over this trying to find a manufacture brand, label or even a serial number. No luck. The saddle is pretty heavy, even to me now as an adult. There is extensive tooling all over, but the only "silver" are the little buttons which hold the leather strings and are so corroded they look like the leather next to them. Can anyone here identify it? If you need me to grab more pics with different angles, just let me know! As for restoration: For the leather, I'm starting off with a damp cloth wipe down to remove all the dust and debris from the years. Then I'm hitting it with a toothbrush and "Lexol pH" to clean it. Then wipe it off and then I need to get a good leather conditioner since the strings are very dry and stiff (and the rest of it feels like it could use it too.) That's what's been suggested anyway, but I'm happy to take more advice! The "Silver" buttons: Well as you can see from the pic they aren't really "silver" anymore. I have no idea what metal they are, but they have corroded to the point of looking like the leather next to it. I have tried water, toothpaste/brush, steel wool, and a dremel carbon steel brush on low. Of all those, the only thing that made even a slight difference is the dremel brush and not by much. I'm definitely needing advice on how to clean these guys up. I suppose I could always replace them, but I'd like to keep as much original equipment on there as I can (same reason I'm trying to restore even the leather strings...) I do have some Cape Cod metal polishing cloths for if I succeed in getting the corrosion off. What do you guys think?