19th Century Western American Saddle Makers

The 19th century brought many changes and innovations to America. The western saddle that exists today was developed as cattle ranching became a way of life in the American West during the 1800s. It is difficult to identify specific western saddle makers from this time period because, unlike modern saddle production, each saddle had to be handmade by an individual saddle maker. As constructing saddles is a time-consuming process, there were no mass-produced saddles during this time period or major manufacturers, though some saddle makers did make a notable name for themselves over time.

  1. Origins of the Western Saddle

    • The modern western saddle actually has its roots in the saddles used by Spanish vaqueros. The saddles were developed out of necessity and used by cowboys in what is now the lower southwestern section of the United States and Mexico for working cattle and performing ranch work. Western saddles were an essential part of 19th-century life. They were used by soldiers fighting in the Mexican War, American Civil War and various battles with Indians. They were also used by riders for the Pony Express and cowboys of all walks of life. When horses were the primary means of transportation in America, western saddles were an essential part of daily life.

    Saddle Construction

    • Saddles, especially early 19th-century saddles, were constructed out of the materials that the saddle maker had access to at the time. Typically they are made from tanned leather, wood and some small bits and pieces of metal. The quality of leather varies greatly depending on the region the saddle was manufactured in, the animal used and the skill of the tanner.

      Saddles produced during the 1800s were not normally shipped or transported long distances. Instead they constructed locally and used more or less in that same area unless the owner traveled long distances while riding in the saddle. Saddle makers were also often leather workers who produced a variety of other items including chaps, boots, gun holsters and saddlebags.

    19th-Century Saddle Innovations

    • The saddle tree was developed during the 19th century. In these early saddles, the tree was a carved piece of wood that was located at the center of the saddle to provide the saddle with better structural support. Trees were wrapped with rawhide later in the 19th century, depending on who constructed them.

      Saddles were also beginning to be adapted to specific jobs such as cutting and roping because cowboys needed saddles that could withstand the abuse of their daily lives. Saddle innovations were often made by trial and error.

    Makers' Marks

    • Early saddle makers identified their work by labeling the saddle itself. Antique saddles from this time period may be stamped or labeled with a small plaque. Some saddles are not marked at all. These marks are the only real way to identify the saddle maker, and there are literally hundreds of different marks that have been documented on these saddles. In most cases, it takes a historian specializing in antique saddles and their origins to identify these marks and provide information about a specific saddle's origins. Some saddles are completely untraceable because of their lack of marks, the passage of time and the relatively few saddles produced by the maker.