Id Help And Restoration Question

[mtnwaykennel]

I have just stumbled onto a Hereford saddle. My first question is the markings say 7041 30-05056 on the stirrup leather. What year might this be?

Second is, some of the white buckstitch is gone and I am looking to replace it. What type of material would be best suited for this? I will get some pics up of it tomorrow morning!!

Thanks guys and gals. Love the forum !!

Edited October 22, 2013 by mtnwaykennel

[GrampaJoel]

Do you have to buy the lace, or do you have the ability to cut it yourself?

[mtnwaykennel]

I will have to buy it, unless it is something I can do at home with basic tools like a utility knife lol

[mtnwaykennel]

Ok So I have a response from a saddle store in Ok. That was able to give me some info on my saddle. Tex Tan was next to useless lol. They said that more than likely the 1 is an I which would make it 704 I 30-05056. She said it should be a 1970 year model made is March. It is considered a Show Saddle and she has offered to purchase it lol. I still think I will just keep it and clean it up real good. She said I am missing some silver conch's and such and is going to send me a picture of what it should be.

[GrampaJoel]

A lot of old show saddles are missing the real silver Concho's. They are usually worth more than the saddle now days. Some are just lost over time.

For the lace. Measure the width of the lace you need. Than buy some in the same width, and color. I prefer kangaroo lace.

If the lace goes through two pieces of leather I suggest you glue them together first. The new lace will probably want to pull through and cut the leather. The new white lace will stand out where it sits next to the old. So when doing the replacement keep in mind you might have to go further than you first thought.

Have fun.

Joel

[Saddlebag]

I do believe the 56 means it was made in 56, May of 56. Whether or not that's it's age, if there are no holes in the skirts to indicate silver then there was none. When buckstitching became the trend, initially there was no added silver. There is a tool to help with this job if you redo the buckstitching. I got a kick out of the clerk telling you the saddle isn't worth anything then offers to buy it.

[mtnwaykennel]

I found some buckstitch at Becks Leather online. Super nice people!!! I will post some pics when I get it finished!