Western Saddle Gallery

CUSTOM RON ROSS SLICK FORK SADDLE
Ron from Indiana
This very handsome saddle was created by Ron Ross who has been a professional custome saddle maker for 46 years. I'd say he's definitely gotten the hang of it. The saddle was exhibited at the 2009 International Federation of Leather Guilds Show that was held in Indianapolis in September 2009.  In the Masters Division, it placed first as well as Best of Category.

VINTAGE HAMLEY SADDLE
Ted from Georgia
This saddle is a wonderful representation of the high end of the Hamley brand from about 50 years ago. Ted has the original bill of sale and shares that it was made by Duff Severe when he was still with Hamley, who is the only saddle maker to have his work recognized by the Smithsonian Institute. The saddle is in excellent condition and riding shape.

ROPING SADDLE FROM UNKNOWN MAKER
Jan from New Hampshire
Jan bought this saddle at a yard sale. It doesn't have a maker mark on it other than a number, which is probably a model/serial number. I suspect the maker's mark probably has fallen off at some point. I believe this to be a production saddle and could be from any number of saddle companies. Brings to mind a Blue Ridge saddle, but have no way of knowing for sure.

MARTIN KOSEL CUSTOM RANCH SADDLE
Martin from Montana
This handsome saddle was made by Montanan saddle maker, Martin Kosel. It's a Wade tree saddle built on a wooden/rawhide covered tree and has flat plate rigging in the 7/8ths position.

VINTAGE VANCO RANCH SADDLE
Stan from California
This wonderful high-back saddle was owned by Stan's great uncle; a real family heirloom. The saddle was made by A.A. Van Voorhees Voorhies & Co (their brand was Vanco) in the early 1900's. The saddlery was founded in the 1850's and changed it's name to the Van Voorhees Voorhies-Phinney Co. in the 1920's when they took on a partner. (They had a real flair for company names.) They operated until the 1940's. Stan is conditioning the saddle in preparation for packing for the US Forest Service. It should be a great ride.

VINTAGE STOHLMAN PLEASURE SADDLE
Cindy from California
This interesting saddle was made by prominent leather crafters, Al and Ann Stolhman.  Their saddles are rare as they were more known for their tooling work and craft patterns sold by Tandy Leather. Both have now passed on, so this saddle is a piece of history.

VINTAGE FURSTNOW SADDLERY CO. SADDLE
Roger from Somewhere in the US
Roger says: "This is a Furstnow, model 06 in their #36 catalog that I think came out in 1930 or so.  It's called the Sid Special in the catalog.  According to the information I was given by it's previous owner [I bought it at a local auction], it was originally owned by a cowboy in the Ekalaka country of Montana.  New at that time it cost $85.00 and I bought it for $75.00 and then had my son, who makes and repairs saddles, replace the woolskin and the strings."

CUSTOM PULLIN LEATHER WADE TREE SADDLE
Mark from Alberta, Canada
This custom Wade tree saddle is built on a hand built rawhide tree. Floral carving, stainless bell stirrups, inlaid seat and bucking rolls combine to create a really handsome rig.

VINTAGE SADDLE FROM UNKNOWN MAKER
Shondra from Ohio
This lovely old saddle was given to Shondra by a dear friend who was getting out of horses and into minnies. Someone has told her that they thought the saddle was from around the early 1900's, but nothing is really known about it. Shondra still rides this obviously well built saddle.

VINTAGE SADDLE FROM UNKNOWN MAKER
David from Belgium
David bought this handsome and interesting vintage saddle from an unknown maker off of ebay.

CUSTOM CORDELL HATCH RANCH SADDLE
Cordell from Idaho
This handsome saddle was was a built by Cordell Hatch for a customer from Utah. It is built on a Bill Bean tree with in-skirt rigging and hand tooled floral carving.

VINTAGE PORTER SADDLE
Jeff from California
This great little saddle was in a package deal with another vintage saddle and miscellaneous tack. Jeff bought the package for $150 as a gift to his wife, not knowing what a find he had. Jeff says it's a comfortable ride but is too small for her so he'll be selling it.

VINTAGE DON BENTLEY SADDLE
Gail from North Carolina
This handsome saddle was made by Oakland, California saddle maker, Don Bently in the 1950's. Gail's understanding is that is was made for Julie Nichols, who road it in parades including the Rose Bowl.

SHOW SADDLE FROM A.RINTA SADDLERY
Camilla from Denmark
This saddle was custom made for Camilla's horse by the small "A. Frinta saddlery" in Czech Republic. Their saddles are very popular in Denmark and other European countries because of the high quality and various models.

VINTAGE ALL AROUND SADDLE FROM MARSHALL FIELDING & CO.
Monica from Florida
Monica was given this vintage saddle from a friend who's father had it since the 196o's. It appears to be a saddle from that era. It's a handsome saddle, but unfortunately the leather is in pretty rough shape. Some serious cleaning and conditioning could restore it somewhat, but it will be hard to overcome the years of neglect.

CUSTOM MARTIN KOSEL SADDLE
Martin from Montana
This flashy saddle was created by Montana saddle maker Martin Kosel. It is built on a Bowman wood tree and has floral tooling on the fork, fenders, and rear jockeys.

CUSTOM ROSS MILLER WADE SADDLE
Ross from Montana
This is the latest saddle from Dillon, Montana saddlemaker, Ross Miller. Ross has really developed into a fine saddlemaker. He uses only the finest materials - Bill Bean tree, Jeremiah Watt stainless steel hardware, Monel stirrups. The saddle has clever "In-Plate" rigging - Flat-Plate style with the closeness and lighter weight of in-skirt style.

FIRST SADDLE FROM A TEENAGE SADDLE MAKER
Micha from France
This "interesting" little saddle was Mischa Greschny's first attempt at saddle making as a sixteen year old in 1977. It really demonstrates Mischa's love for western saddles. I doubt too many other French teenagers were making western saddles!

VINTAGE HIGH BACK SADDLE FROM UNKNOWN MAKER
Rick from Texas
A friend picked up this saddle for Rick at an estate sale in Colorado. It has some information on the latigo keeper but no maker. I suspect a plate with a makers mark came off at some point. Rick has done a lot of work to get it looking this handsome and now keeps it as a display piece.