Saddle Question

[bqbowden]

I need some help with a saddle. Here is the description of the saddle from its current owner:

>> The saddle is made from the 1904 pattern and is dated 1918 on the saddle, straps and stirrup hoods and 1917 on the
>> wooden stirrups. The russet leather is soft with no cracks, cuts or tears and the stitching is sound. The brass fittings are
>> genuine and complete and the horse- hair ciniha tightly braided. Each leather part is stamped HJB 1918 and the brass
>> shield shaped plate on the front horn says 111/2 seat.


I have included a picture. This saddle is for sale cheap, but would this be appropriate as a US saddle? I am thinking not, but I am not an expert.

Hence, why I am posting here. I appreciate any and all advice.

[Huck]

Re: Saddle Question

It would be perfect for a post WW1 impression.

[csabugler]

Re: Saddle Question

depends on your level of authenticity, which if you are here should be enough that you would pass on it. It's an '04. They are discouraged or outright forbiden at most events discussed on this forum. If you showed up to ride with us on it we'd probably explain the issue and loan you something better. Go with your gut, save the money for something better down the road.

[Ronnie Tucker]

Re: Saddle Question

if you dont mind saying how much is cheap someone might like to have it for riding other than reinacting ronnie tucker 7th tn

[bqbowden]

Re: Saddle Question

if you dont mind saying how much is cheap someone might like to have it for riding other than reinacting ronnie tucker 7th tn

Ronnie - They are asking $400 and I offered $300.

I thought I was going to retire from reenacting and sold my saddle 1 1/2 years ago. I still kick myself for doing it. So now, to get back in I need a saddle again. But, this time I do not want to pay what I did for that saddle. All I want is a bare bones, no frills saddle to get me going. I realize that my first saddle was good, but it had too much "frills" and I did not need everything on it.

Anyway, thanks everyone for taking a look. I want to do things right this time, especially because I want to do some more of the "harder core" or "more authentic" events than I have in the past.

I admit I was a mainstreamer (some of you may know who I am) but I want to step up my impression as funds permit. So, any help y'all can give me, I greatly appreciate it.

[csabugler]

Re: Saddle Question

Dude, if you want to step it up Skip that saddle, unless like Ronnie said you want something to ride away from events. There are deals out there WAY better than that. If you want to step up, hook up with the Critters for some of the upcoming events that will make good entry opportunities. Do you have a modern saddle to get some time in the seat? If the attitude is right, and you can ride some, we can get past a lack of gear for a while.

[bqbowden]

Re: Saddle Question

Dude, if you want to step it up Skip that saddle, unless like Ronnie said you want something to ride away from events. There are deals out there WAY better than that. If you want to step up, hook up with the Critters for some of the upcoming events that will make good entry opportunities. Do you have a modern saddle to get some time in the seat? If the attitude is right, and you can ride some, we can get past a lack of gear for a while.

Patrick,

I have been riding for about 5 years now and I am on my second horse. I have a western saddle I ride with around the stable.

My previous group (Alabama Division) I was acting as couirer to the general and did a lot of adjutant work (yes I was an officer and I did enjoy the other work), but did little real cav. Now, I want to get back in and start over as a trooper. I miss just going out and having fun in the hobby. But, with my skills I realize someone will eventually "snatch me up again", but for now a trooper is all I want to be.

My mount is trained to shoot off of, does not mind cannons, likes saber fighting and is in general a good cav mount. But I also know there is still a lot for me to learn. I also want to "step up" my impression as I have been a mainstreamer way too long.

You need to know, all of my kit is still in Alabama and I will not have anything till April. Also, when I thought I was going to retire 1 1/2 years ago I sold off some of my kit, so this is why I have to rebuild. Any help I can get to do so without breaking the bank this time around is appreciated. But, I also want to do things right this time around too.

So ... think y'all can help me?

[Mark Choate]

Re: Saddle Question

Barry,

Most practical saddle to first acquire is a well-made, simple-rigged '59 McClellan. I say this because it is most versatile as it covers you for a Federal impression as well as is appropriate for a Confederate impression (for many eras of the war, that is). They were highly sought after by the CS troopers and was probably the best thing old George B. ever did in his military career, ha. From there, (as funding permits) you can branch out to cover specific early, mid, late periods or civilian, or East/West/trans-Mississippi, etc.........

You might want to check with Ken K. as I think he as some saddles for sale.

Mark Choate
7th TN. Co. D.

[ethan harrington]

Re: Saddle Question

Barry,
Like Patrick said, if you want to do this thing again don't go out and buy a bunch of junk that you don't need send me a P.M. a with your info and I will contact you and get you going on that ever adventurous roud of being an authentic cav trooper.

Thanks for Posting,
Ethan Harrington
Horse Soilder

[Tom Craig]

Re: Saddle Question

Hey Barry,

As I had replied in your previous post about looking for a home, the best choices for you (depending where you live in NC) is either the Valley Light Horse which is in VA, or the Critter Co. which is mostly in TN/GA. If you are interested in going Federal, the 1st Maine (we have guys from VA to ME) is an excellent choice.

If you need or want contact info for any of the above units, send me a PM and I will get it to you.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[bqbowden]

Re: Saddle Question

Got another one for y'all in here ...

If I can find a tree for little or nothing and I know someone who can do the work, would this be another option?

Here is a link for a tree on ebay - would this work to build a basic saddle?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130291572562&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123

Don't worry of it runs out of time, I am sure I can find another tree.

Thanks ...

[Tom Craig]

Re: Saddle Question

Barry,

Here's te catch with your eBay candidate. It's an '04 tree. Yes you could certainly build up a period Mac on top of it, but it is still an '04 tree. Only the people who know what they are looking at would know any different, but those folks would know. The '59 Mac has a slightly different shape in the tree than the '04. Of course, the catch is that no one is mass producing a truely correct '59 tree that I know of. Virtually all of the modern trees out there are coming from one or two sources, and they aren't correct. They are more correct in shape than an '04, but they still aren't quite right.

That said, you can buy a modern '59 tree, and have that built up. I'm not sure the pricing, but I don't think that it is that far off from your eBay find. If you want to go the piece route I would again suggest you talk to Nick Duvall. He has just really ramped up on making tack, but he is a guy you can work with, does excellent work, and can help you on the right path when you start buying gear.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Saddle Question

Barry ,
I have an extra repo 1859 mac tree that is made correctly . I will sell it to you for what I bought it for $225. You will still have to send it to some one and have all the correct hardware /leather put on . I think Glenn Pier can still get the correct trees from James ? in GA.It is still going to cost you the same amount as buying new though . Just trying to help . If it was me I would bite the bullet and just buy a new rig altogether. Nick D. does great work too, but I don't know if he has the source for trees. I had my old one redone buy him and it is not going to be any cheaper either way. This is a expensive part of the hobby. By the way I have 4 saddles .

[T.Kern]

Re: Saddle Question

Patrick,

I have been riding for about 5 years now and I am on my second horse. I have a western saddle I ride with around the stable.

My previous group (Alabama Division) I was acting as couirer to the general and did a lot of adjutant work (yes I was an officer and I did enjoy the other work), but did little real cav. Now, I want to get back in and start over as a trooper. I miss just going out and having fun in the hobby. But, with my skills I realize someone will eventually "snatch me up again", but for now a trooper is all I want to be.

My mount is trained to shoot off of, does not mind cannons, likes saber fighting and is in general a good cav mount. But I also know there is still a lot for me to learn. I also want to "step up" my impression as I have been a mainstreamer way too long.

You need to know, all of my kit is still in Alabama and I will not have anything till April. Also, when I thought I was going to retire 1 1/2 years ago I sold off some of my kit, so this is why I have to rebuild. Any help I can get to do so without breaking the bank this time around is appreciated. But, I also want to do things right this time around too.

So ... think y'all can help me?

If your primary impression is confederate don't get a Mac, as they are way over represented in CS cav. Geta Jenifer or civilian.

Todd Kern
Valley Light Horse

[csabugler]

Re: Saddle Question

Barry, I sent you a p.m. on saddles