Bestsaddles is a division of Tumbleweed Saddle and Leather Company of Trinidad, Colorado. Tumbleweed was Established in December of 1972.
Our complete Business also includes Tumbleweed Saddle, Embroidery and Signs which is our (Brick N Mortar) East of Trinidad Colorado. It replaces the Original Tumbleweed Saddle Shop first located in Trinidad Colorado.
We offer Custom Handmade Western Saddles and Tack built right here in our shop. Because years of experience has taught us that the Trees available left us wanting, we offer the customer a choice of ordering a saddle built on a factory made tree at a base price of $3600.00 or a Saddle built on one of our handmade trees at an investment base price of $5000.00.
While we cannot please everyone due to the fact that NOBODY CAN DO THAT, we build the best that can be made for those that know what they want and like the THINGS money obtains MORE than they like the money!
In addition to Saddles, Tack, Chaps, Chinks, Headstalls, Breast collars, Reins, Belts, and Gun Leather Items we also offer Embroidered Caps, Coats, Jackets, as well as COMBINE embroidery on chaps and chinks! We also make signs and banners. horse trailer and pickup decals and lettering that YOU can order and install yourself. A good clear picture of your horse can be duplicated into a decal or sign.
WE do NOT embroider items purchased elsewhere or remove and fix old item embroidery! There is just too much time involved and many items purchased elsewhere are NOT embroidery friendly.
TUMBLEWEED SADDLE SHOP
P.O. BOX 308
TRINIDAD, COLORADO 81082
U.S.A.
Information or orders only! Phone 719-846-7822 Usually 9:00AM to 5PM Mountain Time
This phone is not staffed during all hours because it is the shop phone and all may be busy! Have patience and call back because I won't stick you on a messaging system listening to elevator music!
One distinct advantage of ordering a custom item and getting a price figured is you can email or phone me while online and I can give you some PERSONAL help. Because our items are custom handmade and NOT mass produced they require some lead time. I sure dislike those places we phone and have to push buttons and wait! No writing letters back and forth, just a phone call AND if you phone me and need to minimize your own U S A long distance charges tell me your phone number so I can call you right back and figure it out on my phone bill. The above number is switched over to Verizon so it won't eat Verizon minutes on a cell phone.
I constantly update and add to this site so please check back often!
BASE SADDLE PRICES
100% J. Cusimano Handmade saddle includes being built on a Jay Cusimano Handmade HEAVY bullhide covered saddle tree. BASE COST...........$5000.00
Tumbleweed Saddle is a Handmade saddle built in this shop by J. Cusimano and or others being
built on a commercially produced bullhide covered saddle tree. BASE COST...........$3600.00
Rimrock Saddle is a handmade saddle being built in this shop on a Ralide Tree using quality leather
and a 100% Sheeps wool liner. NO cheap fillers used! BASE COST...........$1200.00
SCHOOLING QUESTIONS
IF you are interested in the hands on experience of coming to the shop and BUILDING YOUR OWN SADDLE for a career or to just truthfully and proudly say, "I built that!" please call 719-846-7822
for cost and information. YOUR SKY is YOUR LIMIT!!!
The cost of schooling is determined by the BASE COST of the quality of saddle you desire to build! YOU can choose to build both saddle and tree 100% from the start or build on a factory tree like most.
SORRY, I can not allow apprentice saddlemaker positions as it requires much more time to educate! I wish I had been offered available to myself the opportunity to learn the right way from the start! I would have saved a lot of money and headaches 52 years ago!
"YOUR SKY IS YOUR LIMIT!"
ON TO CUSTOM SADDLES
Our complete Business also includes Tumbleweed Saddle, Embroidery and Signs which is our (Brick N Mortar) East of Trinidad Colorado. It replaces the Original Tumbleweed Saddle Shop first located in Trinidad Colorado.
We offer Custom Handmade Western Saddles and Tack built right here in our shop. Because years of experience has taught us that the Trees available left us wanting, we offer the customer a choice of ordering a saddle built on a factory made tree at a base price of $3600.00 or a Saddle built on one of our handmade trees at an investment base price of $5000.00.
While we cannot please everyone due to the fact that NOBODY CAN DO THAT, we build the best that can be made for those that know what they want and like the THINGS money obtains MORE than they like the money!
In addition to Saddles, Tack, Chaps, Chinks, Headstalls, Breast collars, Reins, Belts, and Gun Leather Items we also offer Embroidered Caps, Coats, Jackets, as well as COMBINE embroidery on chaps and chinks! We also make signs and banners. horse trailer and pickup decals and lettering that YOU can order and install yourself. A good clear picture of your horse can be duplicated into a decal or sign.
WE do NOT embroider items purchased elsewhere or remove and fix old item embroidery! There is just too much time involved and many items purchased elsewhere are NOT embroidery friendly.
TUMBLEWEED SADDLE SHOP
P.O. BOX 308
TRINIDAD, COLORADO 81082
U.S.A.
Information or orders only! Phone 719-846-7822 Usually 9:00AM to 5PM Mountain Time
This phone is not staffed during all hours because it is the shop phone and all may be busy! Have patience and call back because I won't stick you on a messaging system listening to elevator music!
One distinct advantage of ordering a custom item and getting a price figured is you can email or phone me while online and I can give you some PERSONAL help. Because our items are custom handmade and NOT mass produced they require some lead time. I sure dislike those places we phone and have to push buttons and wait! No writing letters back and forth, just a phone call AND if you phone me and need to minimize your own U S A long distance charges tell me your phone number so I can call you right back and figure it out on my phone bill. The above number is switched over to Verizon so it won't eat Verizon minutes on a cell phone.
I constantly update and add to this site so please check back often!
BASE SADDLE PRICES
100% J. Cusimano Handmade saddle includes being built on a Jay Cusimano Handmade HEAVY bullhide covered saddle tree. BASE COST...........$5000.00
Tumbleweed Saddle is a Handmade saddle built in this shop by J. Cusimano and or others being
built on a commercially produced bullhide covered saddle tree. BASE COST...........$3600.00
Rimrock Saddle is a handmade saddle being built in this shop on a Ralide Tree using quality leather
and a 100% Sheeps wool liner. NO cheap fillers used! BASE COST...........$1200.00
SCHOOLING QUESTIONS
IF you are interested in the hands on experience of coming to the shop and BUILDING YOUR OWN SADDLE for a career or to just truthfully and proudly say, "I built that!" please call 719-846-7822
for cost and information. YOUR SKY is YOUR LIMIT!!!
The cost of schooling is determined by the BASE COST of the quality of saddle you desire to build! YOU can choose to build both saddle and tree 100% from the start or build on a factory tree like most.
SORRY, I can not allow apprentice saddlemaker positions as it requires much more time to educate! I wish I had been offered available to myself the opportunity to learn the right way from the start! I would have saved a lot of money and headaches 52 years ago!
"YOUR SKY IS YOUR LIMIT!"
ON TO CUSTOM SADDLES
J. Cusimano Handmade Saddle Tree
My trees are handmade using selected Yellow or White Pine which is the best material for saddle trees. It is easier to work and does not split like Fir. I DO NOT USE BEETLE KILL LUMBER! After an episode of building corrals with it and finding how weak it is and how quickly it rots I learned to avoid it! To reinforce trees, an oak laminate is added where and if necessary. The wood we use is KNOT FREE unlike the wood used by many and for that we pay a premium price but it is worth more in the final product.
Our patterns are our own and the generic fit is the best in the business. We have tried many different patterns and get the best results with what we now use!
WE DO NOT SELL TREES as we put to much time into their perfection to market trees alone.
Our patterns are our own and the generic fit is the best in the business. We have tried many different patterns and get the best results with what we now use!
WE DO NOT SELL TREES as we put to much time into their perfection to market trees alone.
Saddle tree bars air drying. I do not use kiln dried lumber for this. If the wood is going to warp it must do so before it is worked into shape to allow it to hold it's shape naturally where it "lives". Kiln dried lumber if being wet again will twist and warp because it was dried straight by pressure. Once this pressure is removed it will only hold till it receives moisture again. There are no Knots in this wood. This particular wood came from the bottom part of a huge pine destroyed by a forest fire. Being on the bottom, Cattle , deer, and Elk scratching and rubbing break the small branches off at the trunk and actually help the tree to produce better wood as it grows. Any Knots are tiny and far inside the log.
This is the beginning of how I shape the Bar of the tree. Using my pattern I mark the right and left bar that creates a mirror image. It took some time to learn not to cut too much.
Both of the bars are roughed out and ready to start "shaving" on. The bars are then placed in a jig to hold them even and the angle measurement is taken at an uncarved place on the top front of the bar and transferred to the swell pattern. This gets a precise fit to mate the swells to the bars. The swell is then rough cut out and the pitch is cut at the same time as the angle with the band saw. There are several ways to build trees but this method works best for me even though it is a slow intricate process as opposed to a duplicating machine.
This shows the swell being fitted and the horn being centered in the jig. The horn angle is determined by the use intended of the saddle. If it is strictly a Team Roping saddle it could be pitched straight up but if the saddle is for all around Ranch use and riding colts as well as roping then it could be pitched somewhat forward to keep it out of the riders belly on a pitching bronc. This is up to the customer. On a factory ordered tree there is less choice and the message is less likely to be received by the factory!
I got tired of sending trees back because of factory mistakes. It is important to have less middlemen to communicate with.
I got tired of sending trees back because of factory mistakes. It is important to have less middlemen to communicate with.
Here the tree is assembled using Epoxy to bond the parts together and SCREWS instead of staples with the holes being plugged with our own wood filler. The tree is sanded smooth then coated with 2 thin coats of Fiberglass resin, a layer of fiberglass cloth encasing the tree and more resin, sanding and curing. Special care is taken to keep the tree free of bumps top and bottom. It takes time to sand out imperfections but the finished product is worth the effort. Once it is smooth and cured it is ready for either paint or Bullhide.
This tree has resin and is painted to give a nice even color and the heavy wet bullhide is ready on the table beside it. There are some trees being made today that quit at this point but my next step is adding that important Bullhide cover!
The Bullhide is draped over the tree and the fitting begins. This hide is over 1/4 inch thick and will be laced onto the tree with raw deerskin lace. Because the rawhide I use is thicker it requires more time to cover than thinner hide. I use bullhide almost twice as thick as a factory tree. I do not prepare my own hide but instead use selected frozen bullhide without skinning nicks and cuts. I would rather pay somebody else to do the messy work that has the equipment. I prefer to spend my valuable time building trees and saddles.
The tree, when at first laced looks loose but after hours of drying the rawhide it tightens up and puts a secure bond around the tree giving it tremendous strength.
Notice the tiny ring shank nails used to keep the rawhide from "Bridging" while drying. When dry it is ready for laquer.
Notice the tiny ring shank nails used to keep the rawhide from "Bridging" while drying. When dry it is ready for laquer.
Here is a handmade A fork Wade Tree with a Wood Post horn. It is laminated and reinforced with Oak building the fork and horn by bonding several one inch layers together with epoxy. It has a 5 inch regular cantle. This is ready for a heavy bullhide cover. The gullet is 8 inches high and 7 inches wide. The bars on this tree are Arizona style. Laminating several layers in opposing directions makes the swell stronger than the regular method.
Part 1..............CHOOSING YOUR TREE
Parts of a saddle tree and their measurements. All future hand drawings and text is Copyright 1990 By J. Cusimano of Tumbleweed Saddle Shop for their catalog 90 published Copyright 1990.
Nothing on this website can be used or reproduced by anyone without written consent of John .P Cusimano of Tumbleweed Saddle Shop aka Tumbleweed Saddle And Leather Company aka BESTSADDLES.COM
Nothing on this website can be used or reproduced by anyone without written consent of John .P Cusimano of Tumbleweed Saddle Shop aka Tumbleweed Saddle And Leather Company aka BESTSADDLES.COM
Cantle Shapes not only are affected by this view but the pitch or angle top to bottom can be altered to change the ride. The dish or hollowed out part of the front of the seat also makes a lot of difference.
SADDLE HORN STYLES
There are many different horn styles and the same horn set into the tree different can look different. Not shown here is the wooden Mexican Style horn built into the tree.
The solid wood horn was originally what was available but these could actually be worn with a rope to the point of literally being cut off. The metal horn was used to repair these and is now almost exclusively used.
The Fork of the saddle was the Trunk and 2 heavy branches in a tree turned upside down. The trunk was used for the horn.
Now the forks are laminated using opposing grain directions to build forks in various widths and shapes.
If I build a wood post horn I add a couple layers of OAK laminated in to increase strength.
There are many different horn styles and the same horn set into the tree different can look different. Not shown here is the wooden Mexican Style horn built into the tree.
The solid wood horn was originally what was available but these could actually be worn with a rope to the point of literally being cut off. The metal horn was used to repair these and is now almost exclusively used.
The Fork of the saddle was the Trunk and 2 heavy branches in a tree turned upside down. The trunk was used for the horn.
Now the forks are laminated using opposing grain directions to build forks in various widths and shapes.
If I build a wood post horn I add a couple layers of OAK laminated in to increase strength.
SWELL SHAPES are sometimes but not always where a tree gets it's
name.
Many custom saddles built for some (Usually Famous) customer used a tree under another name with a slight alteration to Gullet height, Cantle style, Horn or some other variant to name a tree different than the original name.
Some saddles could actually have the same Tree name but use completely different trees.
I can start out from these pictures and do several things to change your saddle since I Usually build my own trees.
Some people are particular and hard to please often as a result of riding the same saddle for 40 years. Nothing they get new is going to feel the same as an old "broke in" saddle.
The best cure for this is get on the new one and ride it and one day realize how uncomfortable the old one was!
name.
Many custom saddles built for some (Usually Famous) customer used a tree under another name with a slight alteration to Gullet height, Cantle style, Horn or some other variant to name a tree different than the original name.
Some saddles could actually have the same Tree name but use completely different trees.
I can start out from these pictures and do several things to change your saddle since I Usually build my own trees.
Some people are particular and hard to please often as a result of riding the same saddle for 40 years. Nothing they get new is going to feel the same as an old "broke in" saddle.
The best cure for this is get on the new one and ride it and one day realize how uncomfortable the old one was!
This is a Custom Saddle on a 3B Visalia tree. I built the Tree and the complete saddle several years ago. I also basket stamped it and built the bucking rolls.
Starting from scratch, the sky is the limit on a full custom HANDMADE saddle.
Follow the pictures as they are posted below to get some ideas.
Starting from scratch, the sky is the limit on a full custom HANDMADE saddle.
Follow the pictures as they are posted below to get some ideas.
This is a Floral carved Team Roping saddle on a Bowman Roper Tree. The tooling pattern is the A style shown below. It is the fastest and therefore lowest cost full floral design offered. The seat as shown is padded with roughout seat jockeys. Because it was also designed to be used as a ranch saddle it has rear saddle strings.
The horn is a #5 Dally horn.
The rigging is Stainless Steel on the Tree and set in 7/8 double position.
The horn is a #5 Dally horn.
The rigging is Stainless Steel on the Tree and set in 7/8 double position.
This is a combination of modern and old time design in a saddle.
It is a 3B Visalia Tree made to look like an old time saddle with large very square skirts.
Rigging is 7/8 double In Skirt and Flat Plate Rigging as the SKR2 shown below.
The fenders are the #70 with #10 stirrup leathers.
It is completely Plain in a dark oil finish.
It is a 3B Visalia Tree made to look like an old time saddle with large very square skirts.
Rigging is 7/8 double In Skirt and Flat Plate Rigging as the SKR2 shown below.
The fenders are the #70 with #10 stirrup leathers.
It is completely Plain in a dark oil finish.
This is another 3B Visalia Tree in a Basket stamped design with a loop seat.
The rigging is 7/8 Double on the tree using Manganese bronze Rings in the SR1 style below.
It has a #4 Dally horn and a 1 inch Cheyenne roll.
The fenders are the old style #70 with a Buckaroo Twist on the # 10 stirrup leathers.
The rigging is 7/8 Double on the tree using Manganese bronze Rings in the SR1 style below.
It has a #4 Dally horn and a 1 inch Cheyenne roll.
The fenders are the old style #70 with a Buckaroo Twist on the # 10 stirrup leathers.
This is a custom saddle built on a Moose Cutting Horse Tree with a 5 inch plain bound cantle. It is hand carved in the E design shown below. The seat and back of the swells are plain and the saddle is finished in dark oil.
The rigging is 7/8 double in skirt with flat plate Manganese Bronze Hardware.
It has Rawhide covered Oxbow Stirrups.
The rigging is 7/8 double in skirt with flat plate Manganese Bronze Hardware.
It has Rawhide covered Oxbow Stirrups.
This Custom saddle is on a DK Special Tree with a 4 inch comfort cantle topped with a 2 inch cheyenne roll. It is Roughout on the seat only for "Traction" and the rest is plain in a light oil finish.
It has a #4 Dally horn set forward to give room on a pitching horse.
The swells are narrow at 10 inches wide.
The rigging is 7/8 double in skirt with Manganese Bronze Flat Plate hardware like SKR2.
It has a #4 Dally horn set forward to give room on a pitching horse.
The swells are narrow at 10 inches wide.
The rigging is 7/8 double in skirt with Manganese Bronze Flat Plate hardware like SKR2.
This is the Same tree as the one directly above only made with large round skirts.
The customer wanted Prickly Pear Cactus as corner tooling.
Everything else is pretty much the same with the exception of the roughout swells on this one, and the wide Roper stirrups..
The customer wanted Prickly Pear Cactus as corner tooling.
Everything else is pretty much the same with the exception of the roughout swells on this one, and the wide Roper stirrups..
This tree is a California Roper with a #4 dally horn.
It has a 3 1/2 inch cantle with a 2 inch Cheyenne Roll.
It is a Full double Rigging on the Tree using Stainless Steel Dees. as in HSR 1 shown in Riggings below.
The corner tooling is in the B design shown below.
It has 3 inch rawhide covered roper stirrups.
It has a 3 1/2 inch cantle with a 2 inch Cheyenne Roll.
It is a Full double Rigging on the Tree using Stainless Steel Dees. as in HSR 1 shown in Riggings below.
The corner tooling is in the B design shown below.
It has 3 inch rawhide covered roper stirrups.
This saddle is a barrel racer built on a tree strong enough to rope from.
The horn is an Egg horn which makes a great dally horn if wrapped with inner tube. It is also narrow and easy to grip.
It has a 4 inch Comfort Cantle with a 1 3/4 inch Cheyenne Roll.
The rigging is Bronze Flat plate in Skirt with Barrel Racer rigging plates like SKR3 shown Below.
The Corner tooling pattern is the E style shown below.
The deep padded seat is on Roughout Seat Jockeys and the Swell is also Roughout covered.
Because this is also to be used as an all day ladies ranch saddle it has rear saddle strings.
It has 1 inch Barrel Racer Stirrups.
The horn is an Egg horn which makes a great dally horn if wrapped with inner tube. It is also narrow and easy to grip.
It has a 4 inch Comfort Cantle with a 1 3/4 inch Cheyenne Roll.
The rigging is Bronze Flat plate in Skirt with Barrel Racer rigging plates like SKR3 shown Below.
The Corner tooling pattern is the E style shown below.
The deep padded seat is on Roughout Seat Jockeys and the Swell is also Roughout covered.
Because this is also to be used as an all day ladies ranch saddle it has rear saddle strings.
It has 1 inch Barrel Racer Stirrups.
This saddle was made for a ranch cowboy that also team ropes. It is fully basket stamped except for the roughout seat jockeys.
The Cantle is Full Comfort and 4 inches high, It has a #5 Dally horn with a 4 inch cap.
I ordered this Double Bullhide Covered 13 inch wide Tic Toc tree to make myself a saddle and a customer talked me out of it while I was building it.
It has the SKR 2 Rigging with breast collar dees.
ALL of my saddles have 2 rows of stitching around the skirts. The inside row holds the skirts and plugs together or the inner and outer skirts together and the outside row does the same PLUS holds the REAL WOOLSKIN lining on. This also helps keep the skirt from curling up. When it needs relined the inner sewing line keeps everything in place to use the same holes if the repairman has the required skill. I stitch 5 stitches to the inch so the leather doesn't disintegrate between the holes when reline becomes necessary. NYLON thread is far stronger than the old linen.
The Cantle is Full Comfort and 4 inches high, It has a #5 Dally horn with a 4 inch cap.
I ordered this Double Bullhide Covered 13 inch wide Tic Toc tree to make myself a saddle and a customer talked me out of it while I was building it.
It has the SKR 2 Rigging with breast collar dees.
ALL of my saddles have 2 rows of stitching around the skirts. The inside row holds the skirts and plugs together or the inner and outer skirts together and the outside row does the same PLUS holds the REAL WOOLSKIN lining on. This also helps keep the skirt from curling up. When it needs relined the inner sewing line keeps everything in place to use the same holes if the repairman has the required skill. I stitch 5 stitches to the inch so the leather doesn't disintegrate between the holes when reline becomes necessary. NYLON thread is far stronger than the old linen.
This saddle was Custom made for a rancher. It is a 13 inch swell width Tic Toc tree and has a #4 dally horn.
There is no padded seat, only a roughout hard seat in medium height in front.
It has a 3 1/2 inch Oval Comfort Cantle with a 1 3/4 inch Cheyenne roll.
The rigging is SKR2 with breast collar dees in front.
There is no padded seat, only a roughout hard seat in medium height in front.
It has a 3 1/2 inch Oval Comfort Cantle with a 1 3/4 inch Cheyenne roll.
The rigging is SKR2 with breast collar dees in front.
This is a Bowman Tree built with an experimental rigging. It is an Over Under Drop Rigging in a 7/8 Double position. It is on the tree but has excellent stirrup leather freedom and less bulk under the knees. It is as close to an In Skirt Rigging for Free Swinging Stirrup leathers as a dee rigging can get. To get this kind of rigging required a special tree bar design.
This saddle has a #5 Dally Horn. It has a Roughout seat jockey with a Rust colored Padded Seat.
The Cantle is an Oval Comfort Style at 3 1/2 inches in height with a 1 3/4 inch Cheyenne Roll.
It is Hand carved in the A design pattern and the Circle on the fender was left for Trophy Lettering or Brands.
It is shown with 3 inch width Rawhide covered Deep Roper Stirrups.
This saddle has a #5 Dally Horn. It has a Roughout seat jockey with a Rust colored Padded Seat.
The Cantle is an Oval Comfort Style at 3 1/2 inches in height with a 1 3/4 inch Cheyenne Roll.
It is Hand carved in the A design pattern and the Circle on the fender was left for Trophy Lettering or Brands.
It is shown with 3 inch width Rawhide covered Deep Roper Stirrups.
This is a heavy duty Basic Roughout work saddle.
It has a 3 1/2 inch oval comfort cantle with a 2 inch Cheyenne Roll.
It has a # 4 dally horn with a 3 inch cap.
The rigging is the HSR1 with Stainless Steel dee rings.
The stirrups are Deep Roper 3 inches wide with hand covered rawhide.
With a factory Bullhide covered tree this sells for $3600.00
$5000.00 with a J. Cusimano Handmade Extra Heavy Bullhide Covered Tree.
It would be fully rigged with front and back cinch and ready to ride, in roughout or plain leather.
It has a 3 1/2 inch oval comfort cantle with a 2 inch Cheyenne Roll.
It has a # 4 dally horn with a 3 inch cap.
The rigging is the HSR1 with Stainless Steel dee rings.
The stirrups are Deep Roper 3 inches wide with hand covered rawhide.
With a factory Bullhide covered tree this sells for $3600.00
$5000.00 with a J. Cusimano Handmade Extra Heavy Bullhide Covered Tree.
It would be fully rigged with front and back cinch and ready to ride, in roughout or plain leather.
Another Roughout Cowboy Ranch saddle. This is built on a handmade Association tree with a deep undercut swell for a nice narrow seat.
The horn is a #4 Dally with a 3 inch finished full rawhide overwrapped cap and horn neck.
It has a 9 inch by 7 inch gullet to fit a wide variety of horses and have a deep seat.
The cantle is an oval comfort style 4 1/2 inches high with a 2 inch Cheyenne roll.
It has 1 inch Bullhide Covered Oxbow Stirrups.
The rigging is SKR2 on large round skirts.This is a good basic using saddle and is priced the same as the roughout above.
The horn is a #4 Dally with a 3 inch finished full rawhide overwrapped cap and horn neck.
It has a 9 inch by 7 inch gullet to fit a wide variety of horses and have a deep seat.
The cantle is an oval comfort style 4 1/2 inches high with a 2 inch Cheyenne roll.
It has 1 inch Bullhide Covered Oxbow Stirrups.
The rigging is SKR2 on large round skirts.This is a good basic using saddle and is priced the same as the roughout above.
This is a fully basket stamped show saddle with German Silver trim and Stainless Laced Swell Front and Cheyenne Roll.
The Tree is a Tic Toc bullhide covered.
The Horn is a Duck Bill Post horn 3 inches high.
The Tree is a Tic Toc bullhide covered.
The Horn is a Duck Bill Post horn 3 inches high.
I built this Will James tree for a customer with a simple border stamp to dress it up.
The cantle is a regular style 5 inches high with a plain bound edge and is border stamped to match the Skirts, Fenders and Flank Billets.
It has a #4 dally horn.
The skirts are large round skirts and have an SKR1 rigging.
The cantle is a regular style 5 inches high with a plain bound edge and is border stamped to match the Skirts, Fenders and Flank Billets.
It has a #4 dally horn.
The skirts are large round skirts and have an SKR1 rigging.
EARNING A SADDLE
There is a way to earn your own saddle or receive the "education here to learn to build your own if you are made of the right stuff! If you can earn your saddle you will also earn a minimum of $4500.00 in building yourself to that point in owning a part time fun business. If you don't understand the huge advantages of owning a part time business you are working many hours a week for nothing!
Please inquire at link at bottom or phone 719-846-7822 for details.
Please inquire at link at bottom or phone 719-846-7822 for details.
Part 2.............BUILDING YOUR SADDLE
This is the SKR2 showing the screws and breast collar rings. The join at the seat in front of the cantle is made very smooth so there are no ridges making the skirt become a part of the groundwork.
All of my breast collar dees are riveted in using 2 rivets and Stainless Steel tabs I build myself. They rivet through inner and outer skirts and have a thin leather cover over the steel. This keeps the tab from swiviling on the rivet by using 2 rivets. IT JUST MAKES A BETTER SADDLE THAT WAY!
All of my breast collar dees are riveted in using 2 rivets and Stainless Steel tabs I build myself. They rivet through inner and outer skirts and have a thin leather cover over the steel. This keeps the tab from swiviling on the rivet by using 2 rivets. IT JUST MAKES A BETTER SADDLE THAT WAY!
Here the wear leather is attached with screws. Because I use screws and as few nails as possible, I can tear one of my saddles down for repairs in about 15 minutes. This wear leather protects the rivet heads and stitching from wear from the stirrup leathers and allows the leathers to glide freely without snagging on the latigo. The rear slot is hand sewn through heavy rawhide to reinforce the rear rigging. Because of a wreck a customer had one day he found the slot was stronger than the flank cinch!
Here the stirrup leathers are being twisted and set for the customer. THIS is why i ask for an actual inseam MEASUREMENT so that the saddle should be ready to ride. Leathers and fenders are dampened and allowed to dry overnight.
Had a fella give me his pants size one time instead of measuring his barefooted measure from crotch to floor. Turns out he wore what us cowboys call high water pants and the fenders were 6 inches too short. I had to make him new fenders and leathers which made an unpleasant situation for both of us!
Had a fella give me his pants size one time instead of measuring his barefooted measure from crotch to floor. Turns out he wore what us cowboys call high water pants and the fenders were 6 inches too short. I had to make him new fenders and leathers which made an unpleasant situation for both of us!
PART 3 Custom Handmade Chaps and Chinks
This pair of chinks was a little different. They had a horse head embroidered on the belt and side pieces. Because My wife has an embroidery business in the shop, the lady that ordered these wanted something different. We can add all kinds of designs as embroidery for those that want something different than leather carving and stamping.
Base cost of chinks is $300.00 using smooth or roughout chap leather.
Base cost of chinks is $300.00 using smooth or roughout chap leather.
This is a gun case custom made for Take Down Rifles and Shotguns. It is 32 inches long outside and 30 inches + long on the inside. It is made of Bark Tanned leather with a bark tanned sheepswool lining. There are 3 compartments in it. One on each side for the barrel half and stock half and the center can be used for a scope, ammunition or even a handgun. This was custom made with a Hand Tooled Oak Leaf and Acorn pattern, but other patterns are available. It has solid brass hardware and a braided handle of the same leather as the laced ends. Price As Shown........$2600.00
The cost can be lessened by using an artificial woolskin lining, by $300.00.
The cost can be lessened by using an artificial woolskin lining, by $300.00.
This is a picture of the inside of the case. The two end flaps fold over to prevent the contents from spilling out the end.
This is a gun case for rifles and shotguns that break apart. Great for carrying firearms in tight places. This particular case was made with a shrunken Buffalo (Bison) hide that the customer sent to me. The carry strap fits over the shoulder and there is also a handle to carry it with one hand if preferred.
This is the inside view of the guncase. Though it does not show up too well there are 3 compartments inside with a Wool backed lining used. By a special method they can place wool on a woven back and allow these to add a lot of padding and security to the case. They do not have a sheepskin back like I line saddles with because to do so adds significantly to the cost and thickness. I hand sew the ends in these cases building them inside out, then wetting them and turning them right side out. This makes a lightweight case that protects a rifle from scratches or damage. Because it can be belted tight it protects the gun
from bouncing around. This one was made longer for a
customer with a takedown shotgun.
from bouncing around. This one was made longer for a
customer with a takedown shotgun.
This case is like the above and is made of Vegetable Tanned Latigo. It fits a Marlin Takedown rifle. This also has 3 compartments. Stock and receiver fits one side and barrel fits the other. Room for ammo or a scope on the inside. I started building these for thearmsroom.com for their modified lever action takedown rifles.
20 inches long as shown..............$300.00
Available in other lengths for longer barrels, and in Black
Vegetable tanned latigo. PLEASE INQUIRE
20 inches long as shown..............$300.00
Available in other lengths for longer barrels, and in Black
Vegetable tanned latigo. PLEASE INQUIRE