Rare Collectible Vintage Handmade FM Stern Marked Floral Carved Saddle - $4,250 - (Canyon, TX)

This is vintage FM Stern circa 1890-1910 saddle in very good condition for its age. The saddle was not used much at all because it still has squeak to it like a new saddle. The FM Stern Saddlery was one of the oldest and most respected saddleries. It was established in 1852 and was located in San Jose, California. It has a 15” seat and is full tooled. It is marked on a silver plate on the seat “Made by Sterns San Jose” and also marked on the back of the cantle “FM Stern, Maker, San Jose, Cal.” It has its original sheep skin lining and the stitching is all tight and intact on the lining. Some of the sheep skin is missing at the front of the saddle in the gullet area due to age deterioration. The saddle strings appear to be all original and intact with the exception of one string that is broken and it is missing the rope string. It appears that two of the latigo carriers were added at a later date and are not original to the saddle. Originally it probably had a latigo with an off billet and there was only one latigo carrier. If the add on latigo carriers were removed it would be back to original. There is also a snap on the offside that we feel is not original to the saddle and could also be removed. The stirrup leather tie strings were replaced at one time and are not original to the saddle. This would be a very nice saddle to add to a collection.

Posted in Canyon, TX, Collectibles
From ebay.com - 1 month ago