Officer saddle on ebay

[GAR]

This looks like an original cw saddle to me, but I want to make sure before using the pictures as a guide.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130658258334?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_9190wt_1219

Is it authentic for ACW Federal?

Thanks,

Gary

[GAR]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

I love the detail of the pictures and the craftsmanship that was used in it's construction. Is this saddle typical of the way they were made? Specifically the amount of tacks / nails used in the borders?

Gary

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

Is it just me, or does the stitching on the girth and stirrup strap look relatively new?? Looks awfully "white" in the photos compared to the rest of the stitching.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

Is it just me, or does the stitching on the girth and stirrup strap look relatively new?? Looks awfully "white" in the photos compared to the rest of the stitching.

Also looks crude compared to the other tight sewing. I suspect a repair and/or reinforcement have been done in both areas at some later date.

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

Agreed Paul, it definitely IS a CW officer's saddle.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

Jan, I'm sure this isn't going to be sold cheaply. Six days to go and 31 bids already. I hope nobody on the forum was hoping to get a bargain under the radar!

[GAR]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

Gentlemen,
I posted this in COI because of my questions.
You can't discuss the saddle and just ignore them.
How will I learn?

Okay, so it is cw, not post war. Does the 2 on the pommel shield represent an 11 1/2 seat?
Is it CS or US? Is there any clues as to where it was made?
Is the tack/nail count normal?

Enquiring minds want to know!

Thanks in advance,

G

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

No 2 means size 11 1/2" seat. If I recall correctely you find these shields on early saddles. It is likely that is originally was an enlistedmen's saddle which was altered.

[Paul L Muller]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

I'm no expert on saddles I can see repairs and there is a conway buckle on the sturip leather. If I were rich and an officer...I'd bid for it. plm

[TexCavly]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

I don't think it's a conway buckle, it's just at an odd angle, and isn't pulled tight. Look at the buckle in the other picture.

[Tom Craig]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

Okay, so it is cw, not post war. Does the 2 on the pommel shield represent an 11 1/2 seat?
Is it CS or US? Is there any clues as to where it was made?
Is the tack/nail count normal?

G

I would have to say that appears to be CW. I know very little about CS saddles, but I would venture the guess that it is a US item, not CS. The workmanship and detail all look correct to me, including the "early war" D rings. The girth has been kind of crudely repaired, which is the white stitching other posters have referred to. If you look closely you can see that it is on the fabric section of the girth.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[GAR]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

Thank you, all.
I'm looking to convert my enlisted Mac (the one I bought a few seasons ago from VA Trooper that was made by Dave Myrick) into an officer Mac. The pictures are fantastic as a guide to the seat stitching pattern as well as how the brass pommel and cantle trim should look. I was going to attempt to make a removable seat pad but it actually looks easier to just cover it all with leather.
I wish it showed a picture of the underside. I wonder what size tacks were used to attach the seat leather? Does anyone know? Has anyone here attempted this conversion before?

G

[GAR]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

Looking again at the listing, I see underside pictures when you scroll down.

[Old-South]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

Judging from the color of the leather, it looks like it was iron dyed as they would fade after use and exposure to the elements. Fading would have been very normal after only a few month's use. It was the norm to re-dye saddles in the day when possible and available. This info was relayed to me by a noted expert James Ottevaere.
That being said, how may of our reproductions have faded? Not many. Indicating a different dye being used by even the best saddle makers.

[1st Maine Trooper]

Re: Officer saddle on ebay

A few items, The white stitching on the girth and stirrup strap are most definitely repairs, and I would say post war by someone not that adept at making them. The thread is too large, not treated with the proper wax (if at all), and the stitching is horrid.
The stirrup strap buckle is not a modern Conway buckle, rather as some one else replied, a regular center bar buckle that is not pulled tight.
The unspaded Dee rings, elongated pommel shield and unriveted saddle bag loops on the skirts and lack of a maker's tag, all indicate early war manufacture.
This saddle was built from its inception as an Officer's saddle. There are subtle construction details that give that away as well, the manner in which the skirts are attached for example lead me to that conclusion.
There were a vast number of different "styles" of saddles for officer use, Jenifers, Grimsley's Ranger's, Texas, in addition to the Mac design. Even the Macs were varied greatly. IF I was going to convert an enlisted mans saddle for Officer use, I would simply make a removable seat pad, anchored in place by the coat straps and a simple strap and buckle passing under each of the bars nearest the cantle. I would forgo the brass edge binding. I have experimented with creating it and was unable to successfully achieve the correct look. There are surviving period examples of stitched removable seats as well.
For what its worth,
Dave Myrick