Here we go again

[Curbstrap2]

OK folks, the search continues. I am looking for a hunting saddle and I prefer the vintage ones. Take a look at these saddles and tell me what you think. Don't hold back.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150381119699&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Or this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-WYETH-NICE-TAKE-A-LOOK_W0QQitemZ190341775794QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2c514101b2

I would value any saddle or tree makers opinions. Thanks

Edited October 17, 2009 by Curbstrap2

[Harfindel]

The Wyeth in the second link is a re-listing, I think. As I recall, the original bidding did not meet the reserve.

[Curbstrap2]

The Wyeth in the second link is a re-listing, I think. As I recall, the original bidding did not meet the reserve.

Yes, it is a relist. What do you think of it?

[bruce johnson]

My two cents opinion. Just because a saddle is an oldie, doesn't mean it is a goodie.

The Wyeth - Those quilted seats like that got to me pretty quick when I had to ride one. I don't like the exposed rigging plates like that much either. They catch leathers and eat them after a while. The front rigging is about where I like them. The back ring sits about 1-1/2" or 2" forward of where I like them, especially on this kind of saddle.

The Little saddle looks like a better choice between the two. Nice seat looks like. There is a lump in the seat where the stirrup leathers come over the bars. That might be an issue. My only real criticism would be the rigging position. This front ring sits pretty far forward. Seeing where it is in relation tot he low point of the front bar pads would tell me more. The basck dee looks a little forward to me on this one also. I like the front edge of my back dees to sit at the point of the cantle as a forward reference, and some I like them back a little off that depending on the tree and purpose of the saddle.

[David Genadek]

OK folks, the search continues. I am looking for a hunting saddle and I prefer the vintage ones. Take a look at these saddles and tell me what you think. Don't hold back.

http://cgi.ebay.com/...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Or this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/...=item2c514101b2

I would value any saddle or tree makers opinions. Thanks

Both saddles are of functional design. Everything Bruce said and personally I wouldn't want to sit in either of the seats much but at that price point I doubt you will do much better.

David Genadek

[Curbstrap2]

Open to suggestions folks! There are some exceptions: No Ralide trees (shudder)or Cordura.

Semi QH bars,Prefer double rigged, but consider others. 15" seat. Prefer rawhide wrapped wooden tree over fiberglass, not black (too hot)and I have to be able to lift it. I am petite and rather it not be over 35lbs max.

Thanks again.

Edited October 17, 2009 by Curbstrap2

[Curbstrap2]

Here is another. Do you like this one any better? I don't care for the silver, but that is not a big deal to me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-BIG-HORN-WESTERN-TRAIL-SADDLE-15-INCH-FULL-QH_W0QQitemZ120481159149QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0d3c97ed

[Curbstrap2]

Here is another. Do you like this one any better? I don't care for the silver, but that is not a big deal to me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-BIG-HORN-WESTERN-TRAIL-SADDLE-15-INCH-FULL-QH_W0QQitemZ120481159149QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0d3c97ed

Anybody have any thoughts on this one? Auction time is running out...

[bruce johnson]

Again, there are some design issues with this one. They are not measuring the gullet width correctly. The seller is telling you the horn cover is loose, but not showing you the picture. They are telling you the fleece is all there and good, but the screws for the corner plates show - again, no picture. They are telling you the leather is dry. It looks like the cantle binding has been off and restitched at some point. It weighs 25#. Back when it was made, one of the marks of a quality saddle was what it weighed. No returns accepted.

I think David hit the nail when he said at the price point you are looking at here, it is going to be hard to do much better. I don't know where you live, but here's the deal out here. This kind of saddle sits on the used consignment rack at the feedstore for about $150-200. Some sell, some don't. These saddles sell at the twice a month horse auctions for $100-150. Not many private shops are going to deal with them because there is no incentive. The margins aren't much and the liability is. The better market for some of these a while back was for interior designers. They'd buy them and nail them to the wall of the steakhouses and bars.