Need Info On A Billy Cook Saddle

[fireman]

I am looking at purchasing a Billy Cook saddle model #8509. It is stamped "maker" and from the Greenville TX era. It is supposed to be a reiner according to the seller. I cannot seem to find any info or even a picture of one anywhere. I called Billy Cook Sulphur, OK. today and they could not help me. Also tried the fellas at Horsesaddleshop.com and no help. If anyone knows anything about it or could send me a picture it would be greatly appreciated. I can pick this up at a bargain and it is suppose to be in immaculate condition. The seller is an older gentleman who is not tech savvy or capable of sending me pics. Thanks fellas.

*** By the way I am new here and have learned alot from browsing the site. Figured you all were the experts, so I came here for help!! ****

[Spinner]

I am looking at purchasing a Billy Cook saddle model #8509. It is stamped "maker" and from the Greenville TX era. It is supposed to be a reiner according to the seller. I cannot seem to find any info or even a picture of one anywhere. I called Billy Cook Sulphur, OK. today and they could not help me. Also tried the fellas at Horsesaddleshop.com and no help. If anyone knows anything about it or could send me a picture it would be greatly appreciated. I can pick this up at a bargain and it is suppose to be in immaculate condition. The seller is an older gentleman who is not tech savvy or capable of sending me pics. Thanks fellas.

*** By the way I am new here and have learned alot from browsing the site. Figured you all were the experts, so I came here for help!! ****

Here is a link that might help you: http://forums.wester...owtopic=3001222

The thread talks about the Billy Cook saddles pre-1981 and post and how to indentify. Hope it helps.

From the looks of it, Longhorn (who bought Billy's name) can't use the word MAKER in their stamps.

They say to also look for a serial number as an original Pre-1981 Billy Cook from Greenville, TX will have his name, the word MAKER and a serial number as well as model number.

Models made after 1981 by Longhorn will not have the serial number stamped in them.

Edited January 25, 2011 by Spinner

[Denise]

Here is a topic on this forum where saddle makers are discussing Billy Cook history. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=3128&st It won't help you see a picture of your model number but may give you some hints as to the time period and possible value. It you get it, please post pictures!

[fireman]

Thanks for the info from both of you. I had read both of those articles before posting here. I get to see the saddle tomorrow morning and know what to look for as to it being genuine Billy Cook. This saddle supposedly was on a ranch in Texas it's whole life but saw very little use. After talking to Billy Cook in Sulphur and other saddle experts and not getting any info on it, I think I maybe onto a very special saddle. This gentleman is probably in his 70's and has had it since new. I will post pics of it tomorrow. I don't think I am getting hurt on the price even if it is a little worn. But I am hoping it is a rare find. He states it is pre 1981 and in immaculate condition. I am excited to see it.

[fireman]

Well I just saw the saddle and it was not at all what I expected. It was an original from Greenville, but the saddle was in poor condition. It had paint speckled all over it and the horn cap was missing. It also had orange around the tree and horn, looked like paint but maybe from a tree repair? It had serial number under fender of 82-1125. I just didn't feel it was worth $450 in that condition.

[Saddlebag]

I wish you'd taken some pics.

[MilesN]

Got a 526454 billy cook marker sulphur OK 14 ‘ barrel saddle I’ve had and used since I was a little girl just curious what it could be worth or how old i’m 42 and I’ve been riding it since I was 12 so it’s pretty old but it’s in decent condition. I need to clean it up. You can tell it was on a farm which is the best way to get to purchase used already broken in for you and apparently I can’t figure out how to post a picture or I would send it

[Northmount]

16 hours ago, MilesN said:

apparently I can’t figure out how to post a picture or I would send it

Drag and drop the files to the band below your text in your post before submitting the reply.

If your files are too large to post here due to file size restrictions, you need to resize your files to fit.  Follow this link for some helps and suggestions.  https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/15122-how-to-post-pictures-on-lw/?do=findComment&comment=551171

There are lots of Apps, software, and online tools available on the web, or even built into your device to enable you to reduce your file sizes.  800 pixels in the longest dimension is quite adequate.  Smart phone screens and many monitors don't display high res files in high resolution.  People that live on the fringes of the internet appreciate smaller file sizes and high res photos may take from 10 minutes to hours to download.