1912 U.S. Service saddle Punitive Expedition

[Cesar Dubon]

Hello all,
My 1912 is finally complete! Its been a few years since I began researching and bugging some of the members here on this forum. Thank you George and Chris for photos and reference but special thanks goes to Kurt Hughes for much needed dwgs and photos to help complete this historical saddle. I was crazy enough to duplicate the 4 mounting points on the tree, as well as the staple that holds the pommel bags. Once I got past making the tree everything got easier.
The leather is very fine goat skin which made assembly much easier. I think i got most of it right, please feel free to critique.
Thanks again for all your help. Enjoy.
Cesar

[George Clark]

Cesar,
Another excellent saddle. It looks like your research paid off. I don't see any issues in your details. Thanks for posting the pictures.
George.

[Trooper]

Really excellent work, the detail is splendid.
Only a small suggestion: perhaps all edges could be slicked as in the original?
Otherwise exceptionally fine work, very well done.

[Cesar Dubon]

Really excellent work, the detail is splendid.
Only a small suggestion: perhaps all edges could be slicked as in the original?
Otherwise exceptionally fine work, very well done.

Thanks for the suggestion Trooper. If you mean by slicked, with an edging, this is goatskin leather so it doesn't take it well like calf hide. Its a tradeoff.

[Trooper]

Hi Cesar,
Yes I did mean with a slicked edging just to finish as the full size originals, but if the leather won't take it so be it.
It was a very minor addition to truly excellent work.

[Pale Rider]

Very nice work. I couldn't help but notice that a combination halter/bridle was being incorporated with the detachable bit. I own a few of these and was curious as to when this became popular and when these fell away from general use. I rarely see these in my region.

[Cesar Dubon]

This is my punitive expedition rider I put together for this saddle and my customer. You can see the the 1903 rifle upright in its bucket secured thru the leather donut attached to the cartridge belt. I believe the troopers didn't like this new contraption and stopped using it altogether.
Belt, suspenders, leather leggings, goggles all custom. Thanks for looking.

[Couvi]

Cesar, how did you apply the stitching to the saddle?

[Alex]

Cesar,

simply magnificient work. Good stuff and thanks for sharing it with us.

MfG,
Alex

[Pat Holscher]

Bumped up in light of the centenary of the commencement of the Punitive Expedition on March 9.