MoonlightFarm Report post Posted April 6, 2021 Hello friends, I have recently inherited a very old western saddle manufactured by F. O. Baird and would love to know a little more about the manufacturer. I have found very little information through my internet searches as to age and value. Penny for your thoughts ! If i can figure out how to upload a photo i will for reference Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tsunkasapa Report post Posted April 6, 2021 Baird is a legend in the leathercraft universe. If you have an actual F. O. Baird saddle, you have a treasure. 14” F.O.BAIRD Western SADDLE 1947 Very Rare Highly Collectable | eBay FO Baird - Bio | High Noon Western Auction F O Baird, Los Angeles Saddle (icollector.com) Friend's F.O. Baird Saddle - Leather History - Leatherworker.net RARE: 1976 Leather Secrets by F. O Baird - Saddle makers art fold-out patterns | eBay Floyd Oliver “Baird” Baird (1896-1971) - Find A Grave Memorial F.O. Baird, Los Angeles Parade Saddle (icollector.com) Fantastic, brown basket weave Saddle by noted California Leathersmith and Saddle Maker F.O. Baird in | Art, Antiques & Collectibles Collectibles Culture & Ethnicities Western Americana Collectibles | Online Auctions | Proxibid That should give some idea of what you have. Baird is a legend in the leathercraft universe. If you have an actual F. O. Baird saddle, you have a treasure. 14” F.O.BAIRD Western SADDLE 1947 Very Rare Highly Collectable | eBay FO Baird - Bio | High Noon Western Auction F O Baird, Los Angeles Saddle (icollector.com) Friend's F.O. Baird Saddle - Leather History - Leatherworker.net RARE: 1976 Leather Secrets by F. O Baird - Saddle makers art fold-out patterns | eBay Floyd Oliver “Baird” Baird (1896-1971) - Find A Grave Memorial F.O. Baird, Los Angeles Parade Saddle (icollector.com) Fantastic, brown basket weave Saddle by noted California Leathersmith and Saddle Maker F.O. Baird in | Art, Antiques & Collectibles Collectibles Culture & Ethnicities Western Americana Collectibles | Online Auctions | Proxibid That should give some idea of what you have. And pictures would be nice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goldshot Ron Report post Posted April 6, 2021 FO Baird was a well known leather crafter as early as the 1930's. He predated Al Stohlman. He bought a saddle company from the Braydon Brothers located in Los Angeles around 1938, and I believe made saddles up to the early 60's. Some of his saddles were unique in design, and often geared more for looks than a real working saddle. They were well made and many are quite serviceable even today. The two that I have repaired and conditioned were really nice saddles, but I wouldn't ride in one. As far as price, they are more of a collectors saddle, so you would get better money through an auction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MoonlightFarm Report post Posted April 6, 2021 29 minutes ago, tsunkasapa said: Baird is a legend in the leathercraft universe. If you have an actual F. O. Baird saddle, you have a treasure. 14” F.O.BAIRD Western SADDLE 1947 Very Rare Highly Collectable | eBay FO Baird - Bio | High Noon Western Auction F O Baird, Los Angeles Saddle (icollector.com) Friend's F.O. Baird Saddle - Leather History - Leatherworker.net RARE: 1976 Leather Secrets by F. O Baird - Saddle makers art fold-out patterns | eBay Floyd Oliver “Baird” Baird (1896-1971) - Find A Grave Memorial F.O. Baird, Los Angeles Parade Saddle (icollector.com) Fantastic, brown basket weave Saddle by noted California Leathersmith and Saddle Maker F.O. Baird in | Art, Antiques & Collectibles Collectibles Culture & Ethnicities Western Americana Collectibles | Online Auctions | Proxibid That should give some idea of what you have. Baird is a legend in the leathercraft universe. If you have an actual F. O. Baird saddle, you have a treasure. 14” F.O.BAIRD Western SADDLE 1947 Very Rare Highly Collectable | eBay FO Baird - Bio | High Noon Western Auction F O Baird, Los Angeles Saddle (icollector.com) Friend's F.O. Baird Saddle - Leather History - Leatherworker.net RARE: 1976 Leather Secrets by F. O Baird - Saddle makers art fold-out patterns | eBay Floyd Oliver “Baird” Baird (1896-1971) - Find A Grave Memorial F.O. Baird, Los Angeles Parade Saddle (icollector.com) Fantastic, brown basket weave Saddle by noted California Leathersmith and Saddle Maker F.O. Baird in | Art, Antiques & Collectibles Collectibles Culture & Ethnicities Western Americana Collectibles | Online Auctions | Proxibid That should give some idea of what you have. And pictures would be nice. I have a link to photos in my original post. Here it is again. https://photos.app.goo.gl/FGUt4YYFAexcmgTD8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MoonlightFarm Report post Posted April 6, 2021 19 minutes ago, Goldshot Ron said: FO Baird was a well known leather crafter as early as the 1930's. He predated Al Stohlman. He bought a saddle company from the Braydon Brothers located in Los Angeles around 1938, and I believe made saddles up to the early 60's. Some of his saddles were unique in design, and often geared more for looks than a real working saddle. They were well made and many are quite serviceable even today. The two that I have repaired and conditioned were really nice saddles, but I wouldn't ride in one. As far as price, they are more of a collectors saddle, so you would get better money through an auction. Thank you for the insight. Here's a link to some photos. I did start reconditioning the leather and it's taking Lederbalsam quite nicely. For as old as this looks to be I'd consider the leather to be in very good shape. https://photos.app.goo.gl/FGUt4YYFAexcmgTD8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goldshot Ron Report post Posted April 8, 2021 These photos, in my opinion, would be an early F.O. Baird saddle. His later saddles were more refined, and were designed more around western equitation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
