Does anyone have any information on McPherson Saddlery?

[Curbstrap2]

Not a great shot. I took it on my phone. This saddle is in a local shop. Nice leather, good sheepskin. Only $275 and maker marked. Thoughts/opinions?

http://pictures.sprintpcs.com/share.do?inv...State=RETRIEVED

[Timbo]

Looks nice to me. Plus side is that it looks like it has been taken pretty good care of during its life. I like the fact that none of the leather appears to be curled. Does any of the leather appear dry?? Any cracks on the surface of the leather??

I don't know much about the manufacturer but it appears to be well made from what I can see.

Is it a wood/rawhide tree??

If it is solid with no major defects in the leather or tree it is definitely worth 275.

I've seen lots worse go for lots more.

Tim

[Hidemechanic]

Can't give you early history about McPherson Saddlery, but I'm sure it's the same McPherson that owns or is owned by Montana Leather and Oregon Leather.

That particular saddle looks like their mid line saddle. I'd check out that seat, from the pix it doesn't look like their better one but they are re-do-able(saddle tech term). Price is probably okay if the rest of the saddle checks out.

If you aren't in a big hurry you might shop around, with the way horse prices have dropped, saddles aren't far behind. You should be able to upgrade without putting out too much. Good luck.GH

[roo4u]

THERE used to be a mcpherson saddlery and leather in san diego. from what i remember they did some nice work...but i really didnt know uch about leather or saddlery at the time.

[TrooperChuck]

I did some repair work on a MacPherson saddle last year. Having never heard of the company, I decided to do some research. After many emails and telephone calls, and after being directed to several people who seemed never to be in their offices, I finally talked with one of their long-time employees who gave me the following information...

MacPherson Saddle Company (later renamed Macpherson Leather Company) has been in existence since the early 1900's. They've had several offices in various locations in California and Washington, some of which no longer exist. One of those offices used to be in San Francisco, but it closed sometime around 1990. (That particular shop only produced saddles during the 1960's and 1970's.)

Currently, they have an office in Seattle, Washington, and Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles office was still making saddles in 1993, but I don't know if they make them today.

When I asked if the company had records for serial numbers and dates of manufacture, I was told, yes, they do, but the guy I talked to didn't know where those records might be located.

I don't think the company makes saddles any more. Their website (http://www.macphersonleather.com) has leather goods, shoemaking supplies, and saddlemaking materials.

[sizzors]

I have a Mc Pherson saddle that i bought 33 years ago from Salinas saddlery for 500.00. It's buckstitched which was the style then. I showed in AQHA horse shows and the national circuit, the saddle is in my attic.

[Claire]

There is a MacPherson Custom Leather in Burbank, CA They make saddles. www.mcpcustomleather.com

It is a different company than MacPherson's Leather in Seattle.

Claire

(from greater Seattle)