Early Model of 1859 saddletree -
Hopefully, this will be useful to somebody. Discussing the
finer points of saddle and saddletree design and style can be a huge exercise in futility,
unless you've got the pieces (or photos) for comparison. Even then, you're likely to
find those with an inability to differentiate small but important differences, making the
effort that much more frustrating. It then becomes similar to trying to describe the
difference between a pink and red rose, to someone that is colorblind.
This particular saddletree was in relic condition when found.
From the shortcuts found in it's construction, it is likely to have been an early
(pre-1863/4) wartime production. These shortcuts included the use of cut nails
instead of rivets in ALL areas, including attachment of stirrup loops and arches.
The remainder of rawhide that was on the tree showed several very small patches of brown
cowhair still adhered. The quarterstraps had been attached with No. 12 copper
rivets. These images show it with a new rawhide cover. Where necessary, additional
images showing later machine-shaped trees (M1896/1904) are used.
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