Texas Tree

[IowaYank]

Here is an original tree that I just purchased off of Ebay. From the pictures I think the tree looks solid. Lillie thought there might be a crack in the fork, but we'll see when I get it! Not sure if it is just the leather or the tree itself. If the tree is solid I am going to have it reconditioned.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200492557918&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

Lots of good stuff to be had on ebay!!!

Dan

[Mike Nickerson]

Re: Texas Tree

Dan, it looks split in front of the horn to me. That should be a solid piece of wood, that may need to be replaced. Do you ride a narrow horse, as "them ain't no 1/4 horse bars"! Does look like a good buy, can't go wrong.

Mike

[IowaYank]

Re: Texas Tree

Yeah, Mike, my Standardbred has pretty high withers. I've put original Mac trees on him that a pard has and they have fit good. My horse has a pretty period build to him.

About the crack, in the second pic it kind of looks like there could be one,,,but I think it is leather coming off the tree that is giving the resemblance of a crack. In the third pic everything seems good. Anyway, I should get it this week and be able to examine in it person!

Dan

[IowaYank]

Re: Texas Tree

Got the tree yesterday. Overall it is a solid tree. I stripped the old rawhide and leather off the tree to get it down to the wood. There are a few of the joints that I will have to tighten up, and the horn is missing a small chunk of wood, but all of those things are fixable. I'll see if I can get some pics posted soon.

Dan

[IowaYank]

Re: Texas Tree

Any suggestions on who to send it to for having it rawhided?? Marcus out of Georgia gruffly told me he wasn't interested in doing anymore work, and I called Bowdens and left a message with them. Any other sources that do quality rawhiding of trees??

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Texas Tree

Dan, I know you've already thought of this, but... Have you set it on your horses back to see if it fits? You may contact the tree maker we talked about a bit back, he rawhides his own, and he just may enjoy looking at/ working on a historic tree. Best of luck, TEH

[IowaYank]

Re: Texas Tree

Taking it out to the barn tonight after work to make certain it fits!!

[Chris Stewart]

Re: Texas Tree

Dan,
Whoever you send the tree to to get re-rawhided, tell them, AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES, that the rawhide will be mostly exposed and not to use a bunch of nails to attach the rawhide to the tree. If you don't, they will go nuts wih the nail gun and you will have 100 nails in the seat of that cool tree.
Good luck with your build !

Chris Stewart
7th Tennessee Cavalry, Co D

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Texas Tree

Good point. One fellow Dan and I have been talking about and to has done several historic remakes. Jon works small scale, and he knows that authenticity is/will be required. Still a very good point. TEH

[IowaYank]

Re: Texas Tree

Well, after going to the barn this afternoon it looks like this tree won't fit my horse after all. It is too narrow at his withers and would pinch him. Sucks, but thats the way it goes I guess. Anyone looking for a original Texas tree??

[Old-South]

Re: Texas Tree

What is the measurement of the gullet?

[IowaYank]

Re: Texas Tree

I'll take some measurements when I get off work today and post them.

[IowaYank]

Re: Texas Tree

Here are some measurements of the tree. The bars at the widest point at the very outside are 9 1/2 inches wide. When setting the saddle on the ground from the ground to the bottom of the gullet is 6 inches, and on the inside at the very top of the bars where it joins with the pommel it is 3 1/2 inches wide.

[IowaYank]

Re: Texas Tree

I think I am going to have this tree repro'ed then sell the original if anyone is interested. I'll try to get pictures of it later.

Dan