Plethora of ebay finds

[ButtermilkRanger]

I can use big words like "plethora" and can even use it in a sentence, but I can't post a link or pics. Anyway, if anyone is interested, there seems to be an unusual amount of saddle curiosities on ebay today. I just did a general search for "antique saddles" and "saddle trees" and was surprised at the results. There are a couple of "original" Hope saddles, one that claims to be an Atlanta Arsenal (it's not), a very interesting plantation saddle, an extremely interesting 12" child's saddle that has an unusual style, a wagon driver's saddle, an original Texas tree in very poor condition (but probably has an amazing story), and my own personal favorite... a British Hussar saddle that they estimate may go back to the 1850s (which I doubt).

Maybe someone else can check them out and post them here. Some are worthy of our discussion.

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

Nice to see someone using one of my favorite words - "plethora." Works well with the modifier "veritable" - as in "veritable plethora."

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

I bet I know a bunch of your favorite words, Mike. I just can't use them here. :)

[IowaYank]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

Are these what you were talking about Larry?

Plantation saddle.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Plantation-Saddle-Very-Old-and-Very-Worn-/170594098358?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b8335cb6

Texas Tree

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-1850s-Texas-Hope-Leather-Saddle-all-original-/110627742892?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c1ed64ac

Conastoga Wagon Saddle

http://cgi.ebay.com/Very-Rare-Antique-Conestoga-Wheel-Horse-CSA-SADDLE-/140268095437?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20a8a147cd

Husar Saddle

http://cgi.ebay.com/Courbette-Husar-english-A-P-17-5-saddle-w-flex-tree-/260724390630?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb4627ae6

[IowaYank]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

Another supposed Plantation Saddle

http://cgi.ebay.com/Plantation-Saddle-Confederate-Cavalry-Civil-War-Type-/270696171693?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f06bfc8ad

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

Anyone else notice that the seller list names of all the companies on that last pictured plantation saddle, yet he lists the stirrup straps as made by "a well known Civil War saddlery sutler"? If he's so well know how come the seller forgot to mention him? Maybe I'm reading into the sillyness too much.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

Dan, that's the correct Conestoga and plantation saddle (not the Buena Vista), but not the Hussar or Texas that I was talking about. Let me see if I can at least cut and paste here. Maybe that will work.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-Texas-HOPE-1850s-Cowboy-Saddle-RARE-Complete-/200470166555?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eacf3fc1b

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-OLD-AMERICAN-INDIAN-CARVED-HIDE-COVERED-SADDLE-/320647531704?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa8150cb8

http://cgi.ebay.com/Very-Old-Antique-1870s-Big-Low-Horn-Hope-Saddle-/200504527024?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eaf0048b0

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-weathered-Saddle-tree-display-/180615847358?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0d8b1dbe

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

The VERY cool British Hussar saddle seems to have sold. It's the one I wanted someone to comment on the most since I'm unfamiliar with it. It had a pommel very similar to a Grimsley and a severe duck tail cantle.

[Old-South]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

Hussar saddle?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Military-English-Hussar-saddle-cavalry-army-saddle-/270694483171?pt=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&hash=item3f06a604e3

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

I just googled the saddle I saw today on ebay and it's almost identical to the pic Ken has in his book of Gen. Jackson's British Hussar saddle. Somebody probably got a steal today because the saddle listed today looked to be in pristine condition and ready to ride. When I saw it this morning, it had a Buy It Now price of $450. No wonder it's not there now.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

Hussar saddle?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Military-English...item3f06a604e3

YES! That's it. I must have had the price confused with one of the other of hundreds of saddles I think I browsed this morning. Either way, it looks to be in great shape. Someone definitely stole it at 175 GBP.

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

Gents, Lots of great saddles here!! I particularly like the "Antique Conestoga or Wheel Horse CSA" Saddle. Very intriguing. The pommel is kinda "Jenifer-like", the materials right- although a little bit too much hardware. Very interesting saddle! Makes me wonder. The Husssar's saddle Larry just noted is really neat. Looks like an early one too but I am not the best at these. I like the "Texas" saddle trees - but most of the other saddles are not our period.
To NO ONE in particular.....One thing I wish everyone could do- stop using the term "Plantation saddle".... I know.... Its often difficult to know what type they are sometimes, but that all-encompassing, catch-all, grossly overused and erroneous term is a 20th century moniker and NOT 19th century nomenclature.

Larry, your right!! The more Iook at that Hussar's saddle the more I agree- someone got a deal! Great finds!! Thanks for posting!

Ken R Knopp

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

Speaking of ebay..... a collector friend of mine bought this bit off ebay just last week......

Larry, your gonna love this!....

We believe it to be French or at least of the 1850's French type pattern. Note the bit branches are brass sheathed with a silver Louisiana pelican boss! Really neat militia or possible CS officer's bit! Neat huh? I hope to get better photos soon.


Ken R Knopp

[malachi]

Re: Plethora of ebay finds

Mr. Knopps book shows Gen. Jackson's hussar saddle. They are sort of like the 1856 u.p.
Greg Tucker