pete Report post Posted June 3, 2010 Here's a really neat rig I picked up this week. I contacted the Oklahoma Univ and got some info on it. It was made in Portland, Oregon by the Still bros. in around 1890. It was called a "freak tree" and only a few were made. They branded the gullet "STEEL TREE" and that's all that it has on it as they supposedly invented the steel tree. Any comments or offers? It is completely covered in shellac or lacquer. What is the best way to remove it? pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King's X Report post Posted June 3, 2010 Very nice saddle there. keep us updated on the progress. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alb Report post Posted June 3, 2010 Steel tree as in a tree made from steel? What did they look at to determine this was a "freak tree"? Ann Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete Report post Posted June 4, 2010 Steel tree as in a tree made from steel? What did they look at to determine this was a "freak tree"? Ann Yes it's a steel tree, and they called it a freak tree because of the width of the swells. pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RWB Report post Posted June 4, 2010 Yes it's a steel tree, and they called it a freak tree because of the width of the swells. pete the entire saddle tree is very likely not made of steel. Instead, what they mean by "steel tree" is that some of those old saddle had a partial steel fork. The fork was cut from two peices of wood, and then the back half of it had a steel horn and fork inset into the wood of the fork. But the entire tree isn't steel. Ross Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Denise Report post Posted June 4, 2010 How wide are the swells, Pete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites