Did Tex Tan/hereford Ever Make Saddles With Tapaderos?

[rkrgirl]

Hi everyone! I recently stumbled upon this forum and have enjoyed lurking. I am now looking at a saddle that is for sale and the seller cannot find a maker's mark. They did provide a picture of the serial number. I cannot tell where it is located (maybe on the back side of the fender), but it looks like a Tex Tan number. I emailed Tex Tan to get some information and all they said is they thought this saddle was made in 1973. It has double buckstitching, what looks like an equitation seat and tapaderos. It does come with normal buckstitched stirrups as well. Both the tapaderos and normal stirrups look original with the saddle.

Does anyone know if Tex Tan made tapaderos with some of thier saddles in the 70s? I'm not sure if I can post photos since I don't own the saddle. It is gorgeous, but I want to stear clear of any cheap Mexican saddles and I thought Tex Tan was pretty regular about stamping the saddles?

Thank you!

[mulefool]

I don't know the answer to your question, but did you ask TexTan about it? I would think they would know, but I would also be surprised if they made a saddle without a makers stamp. If you post a pic f the saddle It might be possible to tell if the tapaderos are an added feature by comparing any tooling on them to the rest of the saddle. Chris

[rkrgirl]

Thank you for the reply. I did try emailing TexTan. I had sent the serial number and asked if it was indeed one of their serial numbers and information on the saddle. The reply I got back was "I believe this was made in 1973". They didn't really claim the saddle and if it something I decide to purchase, I will probably push harder for information.

I will try and attach pictures. This is not my saddle, so if I have violated a rule I am sorry and please delete my post. Everything looks original with the saddle. There is no mark on the latigo holder or fenders. The picture of the serial number looks like it is on the back side of the fender. I had also emailed the seller and they did not have any guesses on a maker.

Thank you!

[mulefool]

Well, judging from the pics I would say the Taps look original to the saddle, too. I've just seen alot of TexTans and if I recall correctly seems like they always had the maker stamp in the middle of the fender.

[Saddlebag]

TexTan has always stamped a steer head into the lower fender. Their info always appeared behind the cantle during the 60s and 70s. The piecrust horn trim has me doubting this saddle is a Tex Tan. (I could be wrong). The design of the forks, seat stitching. have me leaning toward Big Horn. Big Horn used a Longhorn fender stamp altho this might predate their use of such.

Edited January 9, 2011 by Saddlebag

[rkrgirl]

Thank you for the replies. Saddlebag, the horn threw me off a bit as well. Admittedly, I haven't seen a ton of old TexTans, but every one I have seen has the maker's mark and I've never seen that style of horn. I like the old buckstitched look, but I will wait for one that is marked that I can be sure of what I am getting.

Thanks for your help!

[Saddlebag]

Something you need to consider. No maker would spend the extra time and money to make a saddle with all the extras this saddle has without it being of decent quality. At least not back when this one was made. I even suspect it has a rawhide covered tree.

[rkrgirl]

Something you need to consider. No maker would spend the extra time and money to make a saddle with all the extras this saddle has without it being of decent quality. At least not back when this one was made. I even suspect it has a rawhide covered tree.

It does appear to be very well made. I don't doubt someone put a lot of time and care into the making of this saddle.

I decided on a different saddle (my other post) as I could verify the Hereford stamp on that one. Certainly the condition of this saddle is much better than the one I ended up with, but for some reason I like the look of the one in my other post. Hopefully with some elbow grease it will be a nice saddle. If nothing else, the price was right that it will look nice in my house if the leather is unsound!

[gothcowboy]

Hi everyone! I recently stumbled upon this forum and have enjoyed lurking. I am now looking at a saddle that is for sale and the seller cannot find a maker's mark. They did provide a picture of the serial number. I cannot tell where it is located (maybe on the back side of the fender), but it looks like a Tex Tan number. I emailed Tex Tan to get some information and all they said is they thought this saddle was made in 1973. It has double buckstitching, what looks like an equitation seat and tapaderos. It does come with normal buckstitched stirrups as well. Both the tapaderos and normal stirrups look original with the saddle.

Does anyone know if Tex Tan made tapaderos with some of thier saddles in the 70s? I'm not sure if I can post photos since I don't own the saddle. It is gorgeous, but I want to stear clear of any cheap Mexican saddles and I thought Tex Tan was pretty regular about stamping the saddles?

Thank you!

I'd bet anything this is a Tex Tan, I rode in one just like it (minus the taps) in the 70's. Back then it was the somethingorother Cutter (I had the catalog it was in back in the day), and it's most recent version (by special request only) is called the Golden Cutter. Believe it or not, Tex Tan does/did make a double row buckstitched saddle in this century. Usually, the only market is with the Missouri Fox Trotter show peeps, so it isn't like there's huge demand.

Tex Tan used to do a lot more custom work than they do now, and some private label stuff, so there's a good chance this model with factory taps was a custom order or a salesman's sample. Anymore, the mere mention of the word sends them into fits. "Can I get this with a black seat instead of brown?" could get you the death penalty with their customer service.

Edited March 11, 2011 by gothcowboy

[Saddlebag]

There was a time a saddle company could be identified by the design of the stitching on the seat.

[rkrgirl]

@gothcowboy, I believe the saddle is still for sale if you wanted some old memories! I'm still tempted by it simply becuase it doesn't look like anyone rode in it.

It is sad they don't do more custom work. I'm not in a huge horse area, but is seems there are a lot of custom options available now. Most people I know either go vintage or custom as a lot of the mass-produced saddle are losing quality.

[The Virginian]

I also have a custom made Golden Cutter with tapaderos made for me in 1970 by Tex Tan. The photo is the same saddle with slightly different customization. Mine is Black and Basket Stamped with matching taps, a carbine scabbard, saddlebags, and bridle. I paid about $1000 at the time, and worth every penny. I am about to try to get the saddle restored and redyed. I am hoping that Tex Tan will do it but am open to suggestions. It's a real working saddle and pretty enough to ride parades. I've also toyed with the idea of having a little silver put on it but not sure yet.

I'd bet anything this is a Tex Tan, I rode in one just like it (minus the taps) in the 70's. Back then it was the somethingorother Cutter (I had the catalog it was in back in the day), and it's most recent version (by special request only) is called the Golden Cutter. Believe it or not, Tex Tan does/did make a double row buckstitched saddle in this century. Usually, the only market is with the Missouri Fox Trotter show peeps, so it isn't like there's huge demand.

Tex Tan used to do a lot more custom work than they do now, and some private label stuff, so there's a good chance this model with factory taps was a custom order or a salesman's sample. Anymore, the mere mention of the word sends them into fits. "Can I get this with a black seat instead of brown?" could get you the death penalty with their customer service.

[gothcowboy]

I also have a custom made Golden Cutter with tapaderos made for me in 1970 by Tex Tan. The photo is the same saddle with slightly different customization. Mine is Black and Basket Stamped with matching taps, a carbine scabbard, saddlebags, and bridle. I paid about $1000 at the time, and worth every penny. I am about to try to get the saddle restored and redyed. I am hoping that Tex Tan will do it but am open to suggestions. It's a real working saddle and pretty enough to ride parades. I've also toyed with the idea of having a little silver put on it but not sure yet.

Wow, I'd love to see photos. It sounds beautiful. Not much buckstitched tack with basket stamping around.

I wouldn't go punching any holes in the skirts to mount aftermarket silver. It totally ruins it, plus it looks uber cheesy to plop silver pieces on top of tooling without a (original) border tooled around it. If anything, I'd upgrade to some nice sized slotted sterling conchos, and keep the original saddle strings if they're still intact. Most of the rear strings on that model were braided, which made them unique.

[The Virginian]

I have to admit that the stitching is also black. It's faded right now but I will take some photos soon and post them.

I do agree with you, aftermarket silver trim would probably not look right. I have to replace almost all the conchos so silver is probably the way to go. I'd also like to find a fancy bit to go with it) Everything on it is original. The only problem I had with the braided strings is the ones on the back skirt were used (by tex tan) to attach the bags to the saddle. They screwed in. I never liked it and want to put dee rings under the cantle to attach the bags and leave the strings in place under the bags (maybe put a new one on each side for outside the bag. I've had some who admired it. I loved it, and it rode very comfortably both for me and my quarter horses. I'm not riding much these days and don't have horses anymore but like the saddle, and the colt and winchester I bought the same day at the same place, we've been together for a long time and I hate to see it neglected. No offense to the working cowboys out there, but I guess it has finally come to pass that pretty much, only girls ride horses. Watch for the photos when I post them. Thanks for coming back to me, I wasn't sure if the string had grown cold.

Wow, I'd love to see photos. It sounds beautiful. Not much buckstitched tack with basket stamping around.

I wouldn't go punching any holes in the skirts to mount aftermarket silver. It totally ruins it, plus it looks uber cheesy to plop silver pieces on top of tooling without a (original) border tooled around it. If anything, I'd upgrade to some nice sized slotted sterling conchos, and keep the original saddle strings if they're still intact. Most of the rear strings on that model were braided, which made them unique.

[gothcowboy]

Thanks for coming back to me, I wasn't sure if the string had grown cold.

No, my ears always perk for all things buckstitched. I really like the stuff, if only for sentimental reasons. Most people won't be seen in public places with it, but I dig on it and like to show mine off. I don't have a huge collection, but I do have some kind of weird and cool stuff. I use it because I like it, and it isn't the same run of the mill equipment everyone else has. When it comes back in style, I'm already there ;-) That makes me way behind the times or a trendsetter for the time being.

About the most you see any more on new saddles is maybe the front of a fork, or around a seat. Double buckstitching on a well made (American) saddle with big skirts makes me giddy. It's sort of like old Cadillacs with big fins and behemoth chrome bumpers.