AndyH Report post Posted January 1, 2014 Was hoping to get someinfo on this saddle. Haven't been too lucky with internet research & Tex-Tan didn't have much to say either (maybe jusr the wrong person?) Any way its an OLD Hereford with no #'s to be found... Any info would be greatly appreciated! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyH Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Anyone have input/info on this saddle?... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris B Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Sorry I cant help, I just like looking at these old saddles. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrampaJoel Report post Posted January 11, 2014 Not to sure of your saddle, but if had one with the same label in the shop a few years ago. Very similar in design and style. But a slick fork. It was in better shape too and was in fact still being used. The customer said it was made in the late 1800's. But I didn't think so, so I checked it out. It was an older saddle, but was actually made in the 1930's. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyH Report post Posted January 11, 2014 Me too, Chris! I do love those old high-backs! Grampa Joel- thanks for the input. That date (1930's) sounds right in regard to the swells. This saddle was in pretty good shape til a couple years ago. Up to then it was ridden daily. A very comfortable saddle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Sorry I cant help, I just like looking at these old saddles. Chris Me, too, Chris, . . . I'd love to have one like the example Tippmann has on its website. Dreamer I guess. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saddlebag Report post Posted January 31, 2014 The extreme forks were fairly short lived. The high cantle supports the hips and the rider is almost over his legs. Much easier on the rider for all day riding. Are you planning on restoring this saddle? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyH Report post Posted February 4, 2014 I would love to in the near future- though I have repaired many saddles to varying degrees, I am a bit hesitant to begin complete restoration. What do you think? Do I just wade in? Any advice to that end would be appreciated. Side note: the swells on this saddle are 18" wide- a couple years before buying this one my dad owned one with 22" swells! Seeing it was easy to understand why some cowboys called these saddles "freak fork"... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saddlebag Report post Posted February 25, 2014 When a teen I rode in one similar to this. After a two hour ride I could barely walk and my butt was so sore, sitting was out of the question. By then I'd ridden in quite a variety of both English and western saddles and to this day I've never ridden in one as uncomfortable as this. I'd give it a good cleaning and go from there. Was the horn ever covered? The one I rode was bare metal. I know that if the leather was ever burnt off from roping, it was just left like that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted February 26, 2014 Since I last posted above, . . . I went looking, . . . and I found one for me. I'd sure love to get some information on it, . . . but so far it's all been a blank. Anyway, . . . enjoy the pics, . . . the one with my thumb in it shows the makers mark. . . . trouble is it is all but gone. It's an oval, . . . maybe 4 inches tall, . . . some kind of image in the upper 2/3 of it, . . . with a block written name below the image, . . . in the shape of a frown. Anyway, . . . it's a good old saddle as far as I can tell, . . . be taking it to my nephew's to go riding probably in May, . . . maybe earlier if the budget and the weather will allow it. Been thinking about totally re-doing it, . . . been thinking about just enjoying the treasure as it is. Decisions, . . . decisions, . . . May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Denise Report post Posted February 26, 2014 That makers mark looks to be an elephant and I have read about that mark here before. Maybe check out Jumbo and saddles and see what you find? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted February 26, 2014 That makers mark looks to be an elephant and I have read about that mark here before. Maybe check out Jumbo and saddles and see what you find? That is it for sure, . . . I could make out the u the m and part of the b in the Jumbo name, . . . but noting clicked until I saw their logo. Now if there were only some way of figuring out what year it came from. it has usable white wool on it that isn't torn or anything, . . . but the leather is dried out pretty bad in a couple of places. One thing for sure, . . . I enjoy it, . . . if it never does anything more than sitting in my shop, . . . adorning the place, . . . it's like a painting for me, . . . I enjoy it. Again, . . . thanks for the suggestion. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyH Report post Posted March 11, 2014 Saddlebag- the horn was covered at one time. I will definitely clean it well although I'm afraid the leather on the jockeys & skirting may be too far gone. We shall see. I've ridden in some uncomfortable old hibacks though this is not one if them. I'd venture a guess that all the difference was in style of ground seat. Dwight- that is a beautiful saddle! Jumbo brand was made by Schoellkopf of Texas. Some internet research revealed quite a bit of history on this saddlery- founded in 1869. First used the trademark on your saddle in 1902. I recently sold a '40's model ranch style Jumbo on ebay for $290. Still very usable but definitely showed signs of use... If you find out a date on yours I would love to know! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted March 12, 2014 Saddlebag- the horn was covered at one time. I will definitely clean it well although I'm afraid the leather on the jockeys & skirting may be too far gone. We shall see. I've ridden in some uncomfortable old hibacks though this is not one if them. I'd venture a guess that all the difference was in style of ground seat. Dwight- that is a beautiful saddle! Jumbo brand was made by Schoellkopf of Texas. Some internet research revealed quite a bit of history on this saddlery- founded in 1869. First used the trademark on your saddle in 1902. I recently sold a '40's model ranch style Jumbo on ebay for $290. Still very usable but definitely showed signs of use... If you find out a date on yours I would love to know! I don't know where to look on mine for a year, . . . heck, I was tickled to find out what kind it was. Pretty much have decided to leave well enough alone. Gonna clean it and oil it, . . . plan on riding the July 4th parade with it, . . . it's an office ornament right now in my leather shop, . . . lots cheaper than paintings, . . . and a whole bunch more practical. Someone added a lot of stampings to it, . . . I look at those and just have to wonder, . . . sure wish it could talk. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oltoot Report post Posted March 12, 2014 Looks awful narrow in the gullet to me. Tree bars are probably a bit small with very little rocker. My guess would be pretty uncomfortable for most of today's horses. And for people with meaty thighs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyH Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Yes the gullet is narrow. I wouldn't know about meaty thighs...lol. I'm 5'10" 135lbs... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted March 13, 2014 (edited) It's OK, Andy, . . . I used to be razzed for being a "bird legs" kind of guy. Still so at 6-1 and 175, . . . We can ride either yours or mine, . . . them fat legged guys won't be able to. But mine is not one you slump down in and head out for a 10 mile ride like you were in a rockin chair. May God bless, Dwight Edited March 13, 2014 by Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
