Antique High Back Western Saddle

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Antique High Back Western Saddle - old Vintage

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Antique High Back Western Saddle - old Vintage

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Sold Date: 07/24/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

This saddle is a very old loop seat saddle estimated to have been built in the 1890's. It has a makers mark stamped on both sides of the skirt which faintly read "Storey & Campbell, Vancouver, BC". The #125 is stamped above the makers mark on both sides.

I bought this saddle 3-4 years ago. It is in obvious rough shape with many scuffs, scrapes, & repairs. The leather is dry & cracked in some areas but this was once a very well built saddle made with thick, quality leather. Although the leather is cracked, it still seems very strong. The pommel is scuffed on the right side, most likely from heavy roping. The horn is still tight. The front of the high back seat was recovered with new leather many, many years ago. Sheepskin has several bare spots. Stirrups are both steel or copper banded wood but do not match perfecty. I'm certain this saddle was not purchased just for its good looks but was used hard by probably several generations of cowboys who made their living depending on a saddle that could take the good, the bad, & the ugly that their occupation routinely dished out. I have oiled it regularly with 100% genuine neatsfoot oil since I got it to preserve it in its current state.

My original plans were to display this 100+ year old saddle in a 'Western Themed' room in our home since it seems like it has such a great story to tell. My wife didn't share my vision so instead I decided to make use of the secure high pommel / high cantle design to teach my young son to ride. I had the stirrup leathers and off-side billet replaced so that they would be very strong & quickly adjustable. The old stirrup leathers were the leather string tie design. Unfortunately (& not for a lack of effort), my son does not share my love of horses & the saddle has been sitting on a saddle stand in the garage. While the color of the stirrup leathers do not match perfectly, they are not quite so different as the flash on my camera makes them out to be.

The saddle is double rigged with leather covered rings. The cantle is 5 - 6" high depending on whether it is measured from the front or back. The seat is about 14" and the gullet is 6 1/2". T is a neat, hand tooled floral design behind the makers mark on both sides & interesting little curly scrolls on the front of the seat.

I am 6' tall, 185 lbs and although this seat is only 14", I have ridden this saddle many times. Although the slick seat is hard, it sits pretty roomy and is quite comfortable with a sheep skin pad. Stirrups adjust anyw from very long to very short. My horse is of average build (probably semi-qtr horse-size withers) and the saddle seemed to fit him comfortably.

Although I hate to part with this relic, I do hope it lands with someone else who appreciates it just as much. It would serve equally well as western decoration or on the back of your favorite horse.

Disclaimer: I can not make any guarantees that this saddle with fit your horse or be serviceable for you. You are buying a very old saddle that is being purchased "As is" with no returns.