3598 FINE CIRCA 1840 SPANISH STYLE TRADE SADDLE.

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 500.00 USD
Estimated at 1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
This saddle is from the Milton von Damm "Fur Trade" collection: "Saddles used by fur traders and trappers were typically purchased in St. Louis, Santa Fe or Taos and a pattern emerged in the 1830s that was similar in these locations that was referred to as the Spanish saddle. There were several variations but they featured a horn that was initially small and part of the wooden saddle skeleton that was covered with rawhide. Some had a more Mexican influence with a larger horn with a flat top like this one. Wooden stirrups, small rounded skirts and one hitch for attaching the saddle to the horse or mule, were also Spanish saddle characteristics. Spanish saddles made in St. Louis were also procured for military as well as civilian use. The larger horn and thinner wooden stirrups suggest that this saddle is not earlier than the 1840s. It is probably a light duty saddle because of its light weight, and it may have been for a mule rather than a horse. It is rare to find a Spanish saddle this old in such fine condition." This saddle is not marked, but the best known St. Louis saddle maker was Thornton Grinsley, who made Spanish saddles, as well as McClellan military saddles. Another similar saddle, known as the Hope style by Adolphus Hope, featured a double hitch and was introduced in the 1830s." UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: descriptive sheet. CONDITION: good, appears complete and sound. PROVENANCE: Robert Blanchet Collection; Lifelong Collection of author Milton von Damm. (02-22232/JS). $1,000-2,000.