kitten-kat Report post Posted March 12, 2012 Ok went to Wyoming to see my Mom this weekend.. I picked up the family saddle, It is an older Saddle King of Texas saddle, round skirt, 16 inch seat, and plenty of strings (ok they need replacing) to tie things with.. There aren't any Serial or ID numbers anywhere I can find. It has a raw hide tree, and the fleece is original! I am going to be doing a semi deep clean on it, as that is all it needs ( good wipe down, Polish and then clean fleece deeply.. it has life to it, but i know ti can have more.. I cleaned this saddle last 5 years ago!) Soo, tell me what you think and what you might know about the maker! Huge thanks in advance. as to the year it was made, your guess is as good as mine, it has been in my family 25-26 years, and was owned for quite a number of years before then. Cool concho for the offside girth strap, it doesn't even have Blevins buckles.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernTrails Report post Posted March 12, 2012 Saddle King of Texas is a Branded name of Saddles from the Ozark Leather Company, they have several Saddle Makers manufacture Saddles for them, not sure which one made this Saddle. I would say by the low cantle height this on was made in the early to mid 70's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Baumgartner Report post Posted March 12, 2012 Saddle King of Texas is a Branded name of Saddles from the Ozark Leather Company, they have several Saddle Makers manufacture Saddles for them, not sure which one made this Saddle. I would say by the low cantle height this on was made in the early to mid 70's I must disagree. The stirrup leathers appear to be "to tie." That would place it farther back in time. After they stopped using ties, saddlemakers went to using "quick change" buckles designed by Al Ray. Those buckles could rust shut so it was difficult to make needed adjustmants in the length of stirrup leathers. After WWII an ex-navy man designed the Blevins buckles that are used so much today. A lot of the saddlemakers were slow to take up the Blevins buckles, but customer demand finally caught up with them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitten-kat Report post Posted March 12, 2012 I can vouch it could not have been made in the 70's.. the man whom gave it to my family, said he had it about 25 years before we got it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitten-kat Report post Posted March 13, 2012 Ok So I wrote the Ozark company, and this is their response ((Quote: Renee, It looks like you've got a very nice looking classic saddle. It was manufactured in the Mid-sixties and distributed through the Montgomery Wards catalog all over the U.S. It would have retailed for about $90 in the sixties and could resell today for anywhere from $150-$500 depending on the condition of the leather and the fleece as well as how much of the saddle is original. Your saddle looks to be mostly original and in good condition; the stirrups are not original for sure. I couldn't tell you which of our builders made the saddle, but it was handmade in Waco, Tx. Thanks, Thomas Dunn Ozark Leather Company Saddle King ( end quote) was cool to learn about it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernTrails Report post Posted March 14, 2012 Glad they responded, they are nice people when I talked to them years ago So mid 60's.... I was 7-10 years off... I knew it was not over 50 plus years old Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitten-kat Report post Posted March 14, 2012 It is a way comfy saddle, and is holding up for its age.. I never have known its real age.. we always say " he Said" cause it is always "Hear Say".. and never fully reliable.. but I did know it wasn't made in the 70's! LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WSG Report post Posted March 28, 2012 kitten-kat, When you get the saddle spiffed up, would you submit a photo to our Saddle Gallery? We'd love to have it in our collection. I don't think we currently have a Saddle King from that era. Saddle Gallery: http://www.western-saddle-guide.com/western-saddle-gallery.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitten-kat Report post Posted March 28, 2012 I can do that.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fawns mom Report post Posted March 30, 2012 Kitten Kat I would love the contact info so I can see what I can find out about my saddle , if ya dont mind . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fawnsmom Report post Posted March 30, 2012 Looks a lot like the saddle I got from saddletramp :) I LOVE it and it is very comfy for sure :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitten-kat Report post Posted March 30, 2012 LOL looks so similar.. I Love mine, we have had it in out family 20 years, and it has never failed to do the job, and do it comfortably. I like the detail on your better though! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fawnsmom Report post Posted March 30, 2012 They sure do weight a ton and I thought the hard seat would be uncomfortable but it is not . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitten-kat Report post Posted March 30, 2012 I agree they are heavy as heck.. it is good thing Daniel has gotten a good bit of size this past year and a half, it helps him carry this saddle well.. Surprising part is it didn't fit him when i first got him 5 years ago.. he swam in it.. I have to take it out with me this upcome week when I go out there.. he looks so nice in it. and Man does it fit him now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fawnsmom Report post Posted March 31, 2012 Do you have the contact info that I can have so I can find out more on my saddle ? I would love to know more about it :) . I cant believe how much Daniel has filled out and grown up over the years . He is such a nice looking boy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitten-kat Report post Posted March 31, 2012 I just e-mailed the contact for ozark leather company, they wrote back in very short time. info@ozarksaddleking.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitten-kat Report post Posted March 31, 2012 I got lucky scruffy gangly monster turned into prince. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fawnsmom Report post Posted March 31, 2012 Thanks for the info . And yes you found a diamond in the ruff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Baumgartner Report post Posted March 31, 2012 Looks a lot like the saddle I got from saddletramp :) I LOVE it and it is very comfy for sure :) Yeah, and I really ripped her off on the price! Not really. I'm a sucker for an attractive woman! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fawnsmom Report post Posted March 31, 2012 Jack I cherish this saddle because it came from you !! I would not part with it for the world ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
