New Ebay find

[mattbody]

Chaps,

I have just picked up the following on ebay, item no 150838778083 which is a wooden arch tree for a UP. Have a look at the pictures and see what you think it is. I have it at home now and it is in very good and unused condition. My suspicion is that it would have been a pattern for the tree maker. As shown in the pictures there are no D rings or metal work on it apart from the screws holding it together. I will get some better pictures of it as soon as I get a few minutes spare, there is some really interesting detail on it but no makers marks. I reckon it should have brass strapping round the rear arch, it is made in two halves and is not glued or otherwise held together. The front arch is also in two halves, pegged in the middle with an iron strip underneath it holding it together.

Any ideas?

Regards, Matt

[Larry Emrick]

Hi Matt:

Well it certainly is not a pack saddle as it was advertised. I think I know what it is but rather than make a fool of myself, because I have never seen one, I will defer to John M, who probably will know. In the meantime, do some internet research on british wood arch saddle.
Cheers, Larry

[John M]

I would identify this as a MKI or MKII wood arch officer's saddle. Not a MKIII...the last of the series...as the mortices for the stirrup leathers were dispensed in the MKIII.
Detail photos would be useful to possibly determine whether a MKI or MKII.

A nice item

[mattbody]

A stupid question but how do I post photos?

Matt

[John M]

Click on [img][url][/url][/img] then delete the first URL = [img][/url][/img]

Then click on "upload attachment"...below.

Then...choose file......and "add the file".


Note the attachment may need to be compressed.....I think to a max of 356 KB....or is it 256...?

This may get you started....if you need more help I am sure Pat will guide you.

[mattbody]

[img][/url][/img]

[mattbody]

[img][/url][/img]

[mattbody]

[img][/url][/img]

[mattbody]

[img][/url][/img]

[mattbody]

[img][/url][/img]

[John M]

Thanks for posting the photos Matt. Unfortunately too dark to pick out detail.

The following features may be included on your saddle frame to distinguish MKI from MKII.

MKII has a steel gullet plate instead of an iron one.

The front plate, at the pommel, of the MKI has a ring for the breastplate (this ring would no doubt not be fitted to a basic unfinished tree). This ring is omitted from the MKII.
On the MKI this plate is attached by six screws. On the MKII by 2 rivets.
The backplate of the MKI is of brass....on the MKII it is steel.

[Larry Emrick]

Hi John:

Depending on which Mk it is, what years could it be from?

Thanks, Larry

[John M]

Larry,
The MKI was described and approved in LoC 1030.."saddle tree not mounted with leathers"...November 1864. Though not referred to here as MKI but referred to in description of MKII ...as previous pattern.

MKII was confirmed by LoC 5878 in March 1889.

MKIII was confirmed by LoC 9839 in August 1899.

John.

[mattbody]

The tree has a round recess in the front of the pommel so I assume that is where the ring would go. The metal strip under the front arch is screwed on as are the side boards at the rear. The sideboards are riveted to the iron and front arch. There are no rings or anything which does hint at it being a tree pattern rather than a finished tree.
I will try and get some clearer pictures of it.

Matt

[Kurt Hughes]

My knowledge on British military saddles is limited, but John Morgan kindly identified this saddle for me, it is shown in the photo below and appears to be similar, but not identical, this is a Mk1 officers saddle.
Kurt.

saddle2.jpg (177.92 KiB) Viewed 1054 times

[mattbody]

It is interesting to see what it should look like. Mine has no rings or brass work on it, I am fairly sure it was a pattern for the tree maker as it is clearly not a fully finished article but does show how it is put together. I am seriously considering whether to get it made up into a saddle, depending on the cost and if it would fit my horse when it was done so I may need patterns. I would be very interested in a few more detailed photos of your saddle if possible to see how it compares to mine.

Regards, Matt