Jerk Steiner Saddle

[rktaylor]

Curious if anyone knows anything about this saddle or maker. The latigo holder says MADE BY JERK STEINER 1952 WYOMING. The seat is harder than a math test, but otherwise the saddle is well made. Thanks, 

Randy

[jasj]

From the close up photo of the makers name it is obvious that it has been made with alphabet letter stamps, which may mean that the maker did not yet have his or her custom made stamp. 

Just an observation, not a criticism.

Jim

[chuck123wapati]

I've had some luck looking for names and people on Ancestry .com 

[rktaylor]

Thanks for the observations and tip. It's mostly curiosity for me, so I was taking the easy way out by asking and not searching.

Randy

[ArkieNewbie]

On 4/20/2023 at 5:38 PM, rktaylor said:

Curious if anyone knows anything about this saddle or maker. The latigo holder says MADE BY JERK STEINER 1952 WYOMING. The seat is harder than a math test, but otherwise the saddle is well made. Thanks, 

Randy

Just found this on the Google machine. 

https://missoulian.com/tuesday-october-gene-vallance-june-brander-gilman-mildred-g-chaffin/article_26797d39-28f4-5a15-9fc4-4d8876f7f3a9.html

Owen 'Jerk' Steiner

 

MISSOULA - Jerk Steiner, 78, died quietly at home Oct. 25, 2001, "With His Boots On" after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jerk was born Aug. 12, 1923, in Jenkins, Minn., and grew up on a farm near Terry. He became interested in leather braiding while in high school. After a stint with the Civilian Conservation Corps at Ninemile, he joined the Army's 91st Artillery Division and served from 1943 through 1945 in North Africa. He then spent 18 months in Europe on the front lines as a communications specialist.

 

Jerk then became an apprentice at the Miles City Saddlery Co. and learned the saddle-making business. He made thousands of saddles, and his first love was "teaching" his trade to others. He owned and operated saddle shops in Wyoming and Montana. He also worked as a hunting guide and was a "Master" in sapphire cutting as well as an avid fly-fisherman and guitar player.

 

He was preceded in death by his brother Herbert A. Clark. He is survived by his sister Ann Kreager and family of Baker; brother Richard "Dick" Steiner and family of Worland, Wyo.; sister Vivian Huckins of Iowa; and close friends Terry, Doug, Dan, Jerry, Ed and Mike.

 

Cremation has taken place and no services are planned.

 

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Meals on Wheels, Missoula Aging Services, 227 W. Front St., Missoula, MT 59802; or to a charity of the donor's choice.

[ArkieNewbie]

On 4/25/2023 at 5:29 AM, jasj said:

From the close up photo of the makers name it is obvious that it has been made with alphabet letter stamps, which may mean that the maker did not yet have his or her custom made stamp. 

Just an observation, not a criticism.

Jim

Based on the dates in the obituary I found it seems that this may have been one of his early saddles so you're probably right, he didn't have a makers mark yet. 

[rktaylor]

Thanks for finding that. I suppose I was using the wrong (or not enough) search terms. Sounds like he was an interesting guy.

Randy

[bjr]

I just saw this post today (7/22/25), and it was the first time I learned of Jerk’s last name.

 

I have a Jerk saddle on a 12.5” tree that had to have been built in the late 1940s or early 1950s. My grandfather had Jerk make it for my Dad and Uncle to ride as kids. My Dad was born in 1941 and uncle a couple years later. My uncle was riding this saddle along with a guy named Dub McQueen moving cattle in a thunderstorm when Dub was struck by lightening. It killed Dub and both horses, but my uncle survived. If memory serves correct, he was 9 years old at the time. Dub’s saddle is in the museum in Thermopolis, WY and I think still bears the burn scars of the lightning strike.

 

About the time I turned 9ish they had Wilsey Barrett (I think Jerk taught Wilsey) in Powell, WY refurbish it so that I could ride it. He made 2 sets of fenders and stirrup leathers, one smaller and the other larger, so I would be able to ride it as I grew. I rode it and then my sister did some and a half dozen other cousins and kids, and even my first two kids rode it some up into the early 2000s.

 

I was making my first saddle about 1997 and Wilsey mentioned that he though Jerk was still alive at that time and teaching 4H kids leatherwork somewhere in Montana.

 

Anyway, I had it in a storage shed that recently went through a wildfire, and I’m assessing the damage.

 

The tree looks to have northwest bars and I was always told it was a Chuck Shepard…sorta looks like one.

 

The tree and ground seat seem to be ok, but most of the exposed leather is pretty scorched. I’ll probably rebuild it for the grandkids, just trying to decide exactly what I want to do. Originally it was rough out. And it has a horribly uncomfortable seat…can be compared to riding a 55 gallon drum! Lol.

[rktaylor]

@bjr, Thanks for the stories. I sold that saddle about a year ago to a guy in Wyoming. I seem to recall that he knew Mr. Steiner, but I can't find any communication to confirm that. He was sure pleased to get it. 

Randy