Vintage Saddle

[OneProudMom]

Hi I was wondering is someone on this site would be able to help identify this saddle. It's in great shape! We purchased it a few years back at an antique auction and have had it on display since. There are no stamps on it, and has no chrome. Some scrolling on the seat. We have no knowledge about saddles, and it would be nice to know what we have.

Thanks to anyone who may have an idea!

[rdb]

First off, Welcome to the board, OPM. I'm sure you'll find plenty of interesting threads, and make contributions as well.

I know very little about saddles, but that one looks like a bronc rider saddle to me. If I'm right, and there will be plenty of people here who will correct me, the investigation should start there. Looking to see who the bronc saddlers were, or regular saddlers who have made them, might lead you in the right direction.

A one of a kind might not have any maker marks on it, but I'll bet that's rare. There are usually some mark somewhere that will give a hint, even just a number might help. Make sure you lift up every little piece of leather that will move to carefully inspect for such a mark. If you can remove parts, that might help in the looking. Good Luck, and I hope others will join in. I love detective work...lol

[OneProudMom]

First off, Welcome to the board, OPM. I'm sure you'll find plenty of interesting threads, and make contributions as well.

I know very little about saddles, but that one looks like a bronc rider saddle to me. If I'm right, and there will be plenty of people here who will correct me, the investigation should start there. Looking to see who the bronc saddlers were, or regular saddlers who have made them, might lead you in the right direction.

A one of a kind might not have any maker marks on it, but I'll bet that's rare. There are usually some mark somewhere that will give a hint, even just a number might help. Make sure you lift up every little piece of leather that will move to carefully inspect for such a mark. If you can remove parts, that might help in the looking. Good Luck, and I hope others will join in. I love detective work...lol

Thanks rdb! I really have no idea about this saddle. We have searched every nick and cranny ashort of pulling it apart to find some sort of identification (scared to do that). I may not be able to put it back together again! Hubby comes home from the auctions with some of the most unusual items at times!

[Elton Joorisity]

Sorry rdb but it's not a bronc saddle. bronc saddles are traditionally rigged in 3/4 position and have rear rigging that allows the rear cinch to angle back towards the flank of the horse. Another feature on a bronc saddle is a wide fork, this saddle has a very narrow fork. It almost looks like some form of endurance saddle to me.

[barra]

Is this the same saddle in the Morgan saddle thread?

Barra

[rdb]

see, I told you I know very little about saddles...lol. Thanx Elton!

[Curbstrap2]

Hi I was wondering is someone on this site would be able to help identify this saddle. It's in great shape! We purchased it a few years back at an antique auction and have had it on display since. There are no stamps on it, and has no chrome. Some scrolling on the seat. We have no knowledge about saddles, and it would be nice to know what we have.

Thanks to anyone who may have an idea!

Hi, Welcome to the forum. I believe what you have there is a plantation style saddle.

Here is another example of a similar style:

[Echo4V]

I also think this is a plantation saddle of some form but, I think whoever made it wanted a more western cantle. It looks to me to have a 12 or 13 " cantle where most plantation saddles have a cantle that is around 20" side to side. Curbstrap has a picture of one type of plantation saddle but if you "google it" you'll find several types of them.

Isn't this the same saddle that Pella posted about?

Can you get more photos of your saddle? ( Like a photo from front and back and one of the bottom of the saddle)

Have you ridden it yet?

David

[Curbstrap2]

I also think this is a plantation saddle of some form but, I think whoever made it wanted a more western cantle. It looks to me to have a 12 or 13 " cantle where most plantation saddles have a cantle that is around 20" side to side. Curbstrap has a picture of one type of plantation saddle but if you "google it" you'll find several types of them.

Isn't this the same saddle that Pella posted about?

Can you get more photos of your saddle? ( Like a photo from front and back and one of the bottom of the saddle)

Have you ridden it yet?

David

I think David could be on to something. Additionally, due to the the saddle strings, I think it had more of a utilitarian use, than simply a pleasure saddle.

Added as an after thought. I recently returned from Central America and it has a very strong resemblance to some of the local saddles I saw and rode there. Many are built on a modified McClellan tree.

[Curbstrap2]

I think David could be on to something. Additionally, due to the the saddle strings, I think it had more of a utilitarian use, than simply a pleasure saddle.

I think David could be on to something. Additionally, due to the the saddle strings, I think it had more of a utilitarian use, than simply a pleasure saddle.

Added as an after thought. I recently returned from Central America and it has a very strong resemblance to some of the local saddles I saw and rode there. Many are built on a modified McClellan tree.

Update:

The more I look at your saddle, the more I am convinced that it is Central or South American in influence/origin.

Here are some saddles from Honduras. You can see the similarities.