how many of you saddle makers keep a log with a description of the saddles you make?

[Johanna]

Just curious- how many of you saddle makers keep a log with a description of the saddles you make, where it's going and pictures of how it looked when it left the shop? If someone orders and buys a custom saddle, and it is stolen, would the maker be able to provide evidence of what the customer had? If someone bought a saddle twenty years ago, and called you up and asked for one just like it, do you have a record of what you made? Do you keep pics in the shop to discuss possibilities with your clients? I'm just wondering how record keeping is done in the saddle trade.

Johanna

[Russ]

I use a form that I mostly copied out of the Stohlman Saddlemaking books. It's a nice way to get a complete description (in fact, it's too detailed for my skill level, but most Stohlman stuff is!). I assign the saddle a serial number (which is just sequential) and put it on the form. The s/n's are stamped into the skirts, where the saddle would have to be disassembled to find the number. The s/n is also stamped under the rear jockeys, for the customer or someone else to find it easier. I make a copy of the form, keep one, give the other to the customer.

My saddle making does not pre-date digital cameras, so I always have a lot of digital pics of the saddles. Most times I offer to give the customer a copy of the pic files, but usually they decide to take their own.

My full time job is law enforcement. I've taken half dozen theft reports of saddles and tack over the last 20 years, so I know the value of good descriptions and serial numbers, and I try to have all that on hand in case it's ever needed. I haven't been making saddles long enough that I've ever been asked for a repeat, or needed the info for a police function.

[David Genadek]

I imbed a RFID chip in everyone of my trees that I get from Tacktrac, this number is assigned to the specs of a particular tree (serialized inventory) that number gets matched up with a saddle number for the saddle specifications.

I use this system on a daily basis to help people who are buying and selling our saddles used. In addition I use a code that is stamped on the latigoe catcher that tells me just about everyting we need to know about the saddle.

The saddles number is also stamped on the skirt where it can't be removed. I also keep a paper copy of every thing on a file for the customer

David Genadek

[bruce johnson]

Johanna,

I keep a written record and pics. A couple early ones escaped without the pictures. The ultimate record keeping award should probably go to Hamley's. They numbered their saddles, looks like from pretty early on. I bought the hull of an old Association last spring. The lady I bought it from gave me the info she got from Hamley's when she bought it and sent them the number. They sent her a photcopy of the orginal order form, and also the original receipt when they shipped it. They also sent a "certificate of authenticity". The saddle was made in 1928. I don't have it in front of me, but it cost something like $78 and shipping was $1.20. Hamley's may still have a deal on their website to look up their saddles by serial number too.