Recently found this listing in a google search - further demonstrating the power of faulty historical research and the persistence of certain publications:
1880-90s vintage commercial Texas saddletree with a collar leather cover, perhaps to give it a martial air. The rings seem to be identical to first pattern M1885 McClellans, so I look to that to assist in date range.
More interesting is that this is nearly a spitting image of the leather covered Texas tree that was at Ft. Sill that Steffen incorrectly 'identified' as a Hope trial saddle.