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I'd like to share a wonderful old saddle with ya'll. This saddle is an 1840's era Spanish Saddle that belongs to a friend of mine. I do not know much about it's history except it was made by the Natchez, Mississippi saddlery firm of Dicks & Waters. We know from research (city directories) that this firm was in business in Natchez during the 1840's but could not find any more information about them there past this period. As the Mississippi frontier's largest city during the 1840's (and one of the largest on the Miss. River excepting New Orleans) Natchez would be an ideal location for a fine saddlery second only to St. Louis (where the west's hub of saddlery...including "Grimsley"... was located. The saddle is quite interesting both for its appearance but more for it "survival" in such excellent condition.
It has an 11" seat, with a detachable nickel silver horn cap and nickel silver cantle edge; removeable stitched padded seat pad and padded skirts, wood stirrups with 2 ˝ “ stirrups treads, roller buckles on stirrups straps; the padded skirts have white cotton canvas backing with stuffing; driven in foot loops; The skirts & seat pad are detachable and held on by leather thong around horn; the skirts are 17" at widest part; the saddle has under skirts attaches to the tree (under bars of tree are 14" wide at widest; it is English rigged; also has leather covered bars. See photo.
By removing horn cap & seat/skirt pad you have a “field” saddle as noted in the other photo. Also note the firm's "maker's mark" on the bar which interestingly also doubles as an full advertisement.
The bridle is believed to be by the same firm and includes a brass face plate with a # "42"; brass “A” rossetts; solid brass bar buckles; an 1840's Dragoon bit possibly NOT original to bridle; split reins with wire buckles.
A very interesting saddle that I thought some of you might enjoy.
Ken R Knopp
It has an 11" seat, with a detachable nickel silver horn cap and nickel silver cantle edge; removeable stitched padded seat pad and padded skirts, wood stirrups with 2 ˝ “ stirrups treads, roller buckles on stirrups straps; the padded skirts have white cotton canvas backing with stuffing; driven in foot loops; The skirts & seat pad are detachable and held on by leather thong around horn; the skirts are 17" at widest part; the saddle has under skirts attaches to the tree (under bars of tree are 14" wide at widest; it is English rigged; also has leather covered bars. See photo.
By removing horn cap & seat/skirt pad you have a “field” saddle as noted in the other photo. Also note the firm's "maker's mark" on the bar which interestingly also doubles as an full advertisement.
The bridle is believed to be by the same firm and includes a brass face plate with a # "42"; brass “A” rossetts; solid brass bar buckles; an 1840's Dragoon bit possibly NOT original to bridle; split reins with wire buckles.
A very interesting saddle that I thought some of you might enjoy.
Ken R Knopp
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