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A TRUE 1870’s
“ROSE TEXAS SADDLE” – THE TYPE USED ON THE EARLY WESTERN
FRONTIER BY CATTLEMEN, HUNTERS AND SETTLERS – A VERY
SCARCE EXAMPLE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION:
This is a scarce example of a ca. 1870’s “Rose Texas
Saddle” which has survived in very nice condition, and
it is a striking example of one of the true
stock saddle patterns ridden by the cattlemen, buffalo
hunters and settlers in Texas and throughout the Western
Frontier.
Through the last half of
the 20TH Century, a lack of reliable research
and the compounded inaccuracies brought about by the
creation of cowboy mythology by Hollywood and continued
misidentification by collectors have muddied the true
history of the American Civilian Saddle. Until recent
years, many of the saddles attributed to the 19th
Century stockmen and frontiersmen were in fact, saddles
produced well after 1900 and in some circles this
inaccuracy is still prevalent. Later this year the
first detailed study of the American Civilian Saddle
written by Ken Knopp will be published and it is certain
to become recognized as the seminal work on the
subject. Ken is well known for his series of books
covering the history of Confederate Saddles and Horse
Equipment and articles detailing the history of related
pieces of horse equipment. While his study is a
comprehensive work, encompassing the earliest years of
saddlery in the American Colonies, his coverage of the
birth and development of the classic American Cowboy
Saddle will be of particular value for everyone who
collects artifacts related to the post-Civil War
American West.
It is of little surprise
that a number of Texas saddle makers had considerable
influence on the characteristics of the saddles which
would be developed for the post-Civil War West. The
famous “Hope” Saddle, created by the Hope Brothers of
Washington County in the 1830’s, quickly became a
popular and enduring standard. Another less well known
Texas family of saddle tree makers and saddlers, the
Rose’s, had shops in New Braunfels and Weimar, Texas
through the 1870’s and 1880’s, and their saddle trees
gained enough fame that nation-wide saddle companies,
who marketed saddles through a well developed catalog
sales system, highlighted the family name in their
catalog listings – the “Rose Texas Saddle”.
This Rose Texas Saddle
was a well established pattern by the time it was
offered for sale in the 1876 Saddlery and Harness
Catalog issued by Decamp, Levoy & Co. of Cincinnati,
Ohio. Texas cowboys, having trailed their herds north
to the railheads at towns like Abilene and Dodge City,
Kansas, were ready buyers who needed to replace their
worn out saddles. Appealing to the cowboys’ needs and
preferences, these saddles were an amalgamation of
characteristics developed through the years in regions
across the country such as the St. Louis, Texas, and
California schools of saddlery. Incorporating a large
diameter flat top horn crowning the Rose tree, the Sam
Stag rigging looped around the base of the horn, a half
leather seat, a square-cornered full skirt decorated
with conchos and leather discs, and full fenders, this
saddle closely matches the saddle shown in the Decamp &
Levoy catalog listing and there is little room for doubt
that this saddle is indeed a Rose Texas Saddle. Whether
or not this particular saddle was sold by Decamp &
Levoy, it is certainly a scarce survivor from the
mid-1870’s.
The rawhide covered tree
is strong with no movement or loosening and the seams of
the covering are intact. On the offside (right) side
bar, between the horn and the leather seat, the rawhide
covering the side bar is worn away. Based on the smooth
patina of the exposed wood, this area of rawhide was
likely missing during the period of the saddle’s use.
Otherwise the rawhide is strong and intact throughout.
The Sam Stag rigging is
fully intact, with strong, pliable straps and they
depend down to the large iron girthing rings on both
sides. The straps are decorated with copper conchos and
leather discs. Full length girthing straps are present
on both girthing rings.
The leather half seat is
in excellent condition - fully intact with no splits,
tears or weak points, and it retains a bright shiny
smooth surface.
Of particular interest
on this saddle, the rear crest of the seat the cantle
roll is covered in light weight black enameled oil
cloth. The use of this enameled oil cloth to cover
saddle trees is documented at least as early as the
Civil War when the Confederacy resorted to using the oil
cloth when supplies of leather were not available. Its
use on this saddle was likely a cost saving measure in
order to keep the saddle within the reach of the limited
finances of working cowboys and other frontiersmen.
Incredibly, the oil cloth has survived in very good
condition with only minor rubs along the crest of the
cantle and some light raveling along the exposed edges.
Surviving examples of oil cloth covered saddles are
extremely rare for the simple reason that the cloth was
no where as durable as leather. The limited use of the
cloth on this saddle is still a notable feature and one
of historic importance in the lineage of the American
stock saddle.
The saddle is fitted
with large square cornered skirts which are not only
original to the saddle, but have survived in remarkable
condition. While showing the expected evidence of use
that comes with having been ridden over countless miles,
the skirts are full form save for a small notch missing
on the rear edge, and another on the bottom edge, of the
near (left) side. The surface of the skirts is crazed,
but it still holds a nice shine and the border edging is
still legible. Three of the same copper conchos which
adorn the Sam Stag rigging decorated each corner of the
skirts, however a number of them were lost in the course
of the saddle’s life as can be seen in the photographs.
The leather is pliable overall and the lacing which
joins the skirts behind the cantle is intact.
The original laced stirrup straps with the integral
sweat leathers (fenders) are still intact and full
length with no damage or weak points, and from them
depend the original wood frame stirrups. The original
edge stamping on the fenders, and the matching stamping
on the edges of the stirrup straps is still legible, the
surface of the leather though crazed still holds a nice
shine, and the leather is pliable.
Overall, this Rose Texas Saddle is one of the most
attractive specimens I have ever seen available on the
market. As noted above, if subjected to extended use
and poor storage, these saddles simply did not survive,
and that this one exists in such high condition is not
only remarkable, but it is a rare opportunity to add a
true early Western Frontier saddle to your collection.
(0401) $1850
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