Another Saddle =)

[chevygirl]

Any ideas on what this one could be (possible make)??

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x1/chev...l_88/yyy100.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x1/chev...l_88/yyy102.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x1/chev...88/zzz026-1.jpg

[bruce johnson]

That saddle is a bad memory for me. It reminds me of a Hereford I rode (sort of rode) as a kid. That slick seat, sloped back to the cantle seat, and low cantle made the perfect way for that old pig to take a mild jump and I'd slide right out the back. If you held the horn you'd lean forward enough she'd stop dead and you'd fall forward.

I am not seeing any maker stamps where Textan/Hereford marked them though. What is the stamping on the latigo keeper? Any mark under the cantle back?

[chevygirl]

The only identifying mark on the thing is 3904 stamped on the latigo keep.

I agree with you! This saddle is only good for riding a gentle, slow, strait line.

The first time things get alittle hairy, your gonna slide right off.

Edited May 28, 2009 by chevygirl

[Crystal]

That saddle is a bad memory for me. It reminds me of a Hereford I rode (sort of rode) as a kid. That slick seat, sloped back to the cantle seat, and low cantle made the perfect way for that old pig to take a mild jump and I'd slide right out the back. If you held the horn you'd lean forward enough she'd stop dead and you'd fall forward.

I am not seeing any maker stamps where Textan/Hereford marked them though. What is the stamping on the latigo keeper? Any mark under the cantle back?

Had the same childhood experiences with the same saddle. Ours looked like these pics down to the yellow seat, and the grown-ups always called it "The Hereford". Had an awful time staying in it, but it was a little easier on the kid in the back when we doubled up.

Crystal

[Casey Jordan]

I want to throw in my .02 worth ( ya get what ya pay for)

A Herford saddle is a strong possibility.

To me it looks like it might be an old Porter saddle. I say that because of the tooling and overall style.

By looking at the pictures the strings and leather conchos have been replaced.

Also it looks like the padded seat was added after the fact, and probably didn't have a padded seat when it was origionally built. I say that because it goes over the tooling in the leg area, and the tooling does not follow the contour of the padded seat.

It looks like it was originally a full hard seat. I'd bet the makers mark is under the padding just behind the hand hold.

Then again I could just be hipped up on Dr. Pepper too!

[bruce johnson]

Casey,

The thing holding me back on it is no stamps anywhere else. The Herefords pretty much have a stamp on the fenders. The old Porter I have almost has more maker stamps than other stamping. I think it is maker stamped in about 5 places. This one sure could have a maker stamp under the seat. On that note, I have seen some of the Tennessee saddles that have the padded seat going over the tooling. Looks like they pressed out the design with the same dies whether it was going to a slick seat or padded. With just a number on the latigo catcher, hard to say. Could be a serial number, date stamp, or model number depending on the maker. Those leaves are huge for sure. On the front view of the swells, the pattern doesn't follow the front jockey or gullet lines much. I am thinking diestruck there too. And just what was the attraction with that yellow seat anyway?? Seems like they either all had them, ot they were just too gross to ever get used and have survived. Another name for the mix - Bona Allen?

[Casey Jordan]

Bruce,

You could have at least said something I could disagree with. All very good points.

I have an idea- YOU talk chevygirl into looking under the padding for a mark. Then the mystery will be solved............if............it is marked under there.

[Blake]

Hi Bruce

It has all the earmarks of a Buford. ( Sugar Hill Ga.) They did a lot of contract saddles for several companies and put out more than a few copies less the original companies logos. These people were ex Bona Allen Employees and followed some of the old methods from the later BA saddles. One other possibility is a Simco or from the old Southern Saddlery ( Long Gone) out of Chattanooga. If there is a small flower stamp in the center of the horn cap then it is probably one of the latter.

Remember that Bona Allen was bought out by Tex-Tan Hereford and there was a short period of crossover manufacturing. The shape of the latigo carrier is that of a Buford.

That was a popular style saddle at one time but I could never understand why..

Blake

Edited May 28, 2009 by Blake

[chevygirl]

Thanks everyone! All are great points.... but I think I'd rather let its origins remain a mystery than pull back the padding... haha I just don't have the time to work on it.

On the other hand.....It would give me an excuse to get rid of the gross "banana" yellow seat!

[Casey Jordan]

Thanks everyone! All are great points.... but I think I'd rather let its origins remain a mystery than pull back the padding... haha I just don't have the time to work on it.

On the other hand.....It would give me an excuse to get rid of the gross "banana" yellow seat!

Probably just as well. Who's stupid idea was that anyway??

[Saddlebag]

I ain't sayin' it's a Simco but my trusty old Simco is identical except mine's almost all roughout. The low cantle was the result of a belief that a calf roper could get out of the saddle faster, The forward swept forks helped those cowboys who needed more belly room. I'd say early '60's.

[Saddlebag]

That saddle with the yellow seat just might be a Leddy.

[saddles]

But if it was a Leddy you would think it would be marked. I have a Leddy sitting here in my office from the mid 40's, and it's marked everywhere!! I too think it might be a Buford, I've seen a couple and they looked just like that one.