The most striking features of this
saddle are found in the horn and the conchos. This gentleman's saddle is
ornately adorned with Sterling Silver conchos of a nature which we have only
seen in one other place: the
All the saddle strings are present,
each pair of strings anchored with eight "8-point star" conchos. They are
probably nickel or monel and NOT Sterling silver and they show signs of old
lacquering. There is a very nicely done old repair on one of the fenders,
one of the nicest examples of post-manufacture old ranch repair stitching work
we've seen done. There is still some fleece retained on the underside of
this saddle, though it is completely worn and has extensive patches of bare
leather. There is a buckle strap to the right of the horn on the cantle
that is pretty much gone. The stirrups are original and absolutely
beautiful, as is the leather throughout the length of breadth of this work of
art.
The saddle has a beautiful cut that
gives a flare to the back end of the skirt, emphasizing the forward cant of the
front horn and pommel. We believe the saddle horn is most likely made of
nickel. It has a beautiful luster to it and polishes up nicely.
Updated:
Thursday May 17, 2012
Pure Cowboy
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Member: National Bit, Spur & Saddle Collector's Association and Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America
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Pure Cowboy
Member: National Bit, Spur & Saddle Collector's Association and Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America
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Item #SA340 / $2,000
R. T. Frazier Model 3316 "IMPROVED MONTANA STERLING AND NICKEL-HORN TREE"
This Improved Montana Sterling Horn Tree saddle is a beautifully crafted original High-back Pueblo Saddle, maker marked on both fenders and the front of the seat: "R. T. FRAZIER / MAKER / PUEBLO, COLO" and the front of the cantle "R. T. FRAZIER / PUEBLO / R'G'D. TRADEMARK". The initials "T. K." are stamped into the back of the cantle and it is evident that there was a plaque placed over them at some point, no longer present. There are very worn initials "E. H." on the front of the cantle, one initial on each side of the maker mark.
The stunning Sterling Silver conchos are unmistakably those of Frazier's Model 3316. All four of the original Sterling Conchos on the upper skirt (jockey) are present. They are exceptionally thick (1/8" Sterling) and measure 2 & 1/2" in diameter. The pattern is immensely interesting and involved. The center is decorated with a stylized flower consisting of a flat disk in the center surrounded by 'petal' dots. This center "medallion" is then ringed by an alternating pattern of vine and flower. This pattern is repeated in the larger Sterling Conchos that are on the lower skirt. The saddle was originally produced with 4 of these larger 3" conchos - but there is only one remaining on this saddle (silver was money in those days). The remaining lower Concho is a wonderful portrayal of using the precious metal adornments. This one was in the process of being pirated as well and only about 3/4 of it remains!
The cantle is 6" high as measured from the base of the saddle to the top. The fenders are 18" from top to bottom. The stirrups are 6" at the widest point and 7" from top to bottom. The saddle is 29" in overall length when measured at the bottom of the skirt-- CLASSIC PUEBLO STYLE! This saddle was built with only a front cinch present. The engineering of this saddle is beautifully shown in the rigging under the jockey-- using multiple points of anchor to ensure a safe seat. The original cinch leather is present, still attached to the D-rings as it was left by the last rider, when he put it up for the last time. What a stellar example of this maker's masterpieces of working art. This saddle was most definitely owned by a boss-- rancher, mine overseer, banker or other man of means. The beauty and the history of this heavy classic is overwhelming. About The Maker: Robert Thompson Frasier (Oct. 3, 1850 - July 27, 1931) was one of the three premier Pueblo saddle makers (Along with Gallup and Flynn) who were instrumental in the development of the Western saddle as it is today. He took the saddle as it was in the late 1880's -- an undependable, uncomfortable piece of equipment that was liable to come off the horse and break the horn or tree while chasing and roping cattle and turned it into a strong and sturdy, reliable, comfortable piece of equipment that was so well-made and beautifully adorned that it became much more than the sum of its' parts-- it became the status symbol that was The Pueblo Saddle. The first Pueblo saddles were made by S. G. Gallup (of Gallup and Gallatin) in 1870. R. T. Frasier went to work for Gallup in 1880 after fighting in the Civil War and a period in the 1870's as Deputy Sheriff in Leadville where he also opened a saddle shop. Taught saddlemaking by his father, he was an avid researcher and innovator who worked extensively with cowpunchers to create the perfect seat. The high swell and deep cantle made riding safer when working with herds of rough animals in difficult terrain. The saddles were often double-cinched, which increased the stability for the rider. Advancing the invention [by Texans Joseph and Harry Still] of a cast iron horn instead of the old wooden horn, Frasier was the first to use polished brass or nickel exposed horns. Frasier did offer many saddles which were made with a leather-covered steel horn screwed to the tree after improving the features to better serve ropers and cowpunchers. The exposed-horns were not useful for roping and the resulting saddles were generally the property of ranchers and other people of high means and society. The Pueblo saddles had skirts were enlarged to protect the horse and rider from the additional gear they were carrying. Frasier made a deal with the Miller Brother's to supply their renowned 101 Wild West Show with saddles for their Cowboys and Cowgirls. His double-rig was perfect for a solid anchoring of the saddle and horse, as preferred by the cowboys in the area as well as by stunt-riders. The saddles were heavy and made of thicker leather than other saddles, making them quite heavy, but last longer. The weight led some riders of the time (especially those from Montana and Wyoming, where saddles tended to be single-rigging, light rigs) to call them "horse cripplers" but they continued to be incredibly popular. R. T. Frazier Pueblo Saddle / Item #SA340 / $2,000. Click Here To E-mail Us About This Saddle! Contact Us To Arrange Your Purchase
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Please contact us at your convenience: michael@purecowboy.us or sarah@purecowboy.us Members: National Bit, Spur & Saddle Collector's Association The American West is celebrated and collected by people all over the world -- we offer easy international shipping, by either the US Postal Service, UPS, Federal Express or Container. Pure Cowboy, 1770 West State Street, # 315, Boise, Idaho 83702 208.342.5019 or toll free: 888.575.1890 All items sold by Pure Cowboy are for decorative purposes only. All other uses are exclusively the buyer's responsibility Copyright © 2008-2014 Pure Cowboy |