Question
saddle
I recently acquired a saddle made by Hess & Hopkins of Rockford IL and found it to have an aluminum tree I am wondering how common it would be and maybe an estimate of its value or really any information you might have as I can find none
Thank you
Byron Light
AnswerDear Byron,
I don't pretend that evaluating the market value of old saddles in exactly up my alley but I can tell you that there is nothing terribly unique about an aluminum tree. They were very common after WWII and the Korean Conflict- evidently due to a surplus of cheap aluminum. The problem was that being soft- they tended to have stress fractures and to pop rivets.
The Hess & Hopkins company went out of business in 1960 and they made principally working ranch saddles (go to http://www.vintagegunleather.com/company-marks/hess_hopkins_history.html for an article about the company. If you go to http://www.flatcreeksaddle.com/shop/details/177/21/sold-saddles/sold-antique-/-c... you will find a Hess&Hopkins saddle - better tooling than yours and generally in better condition that sold for $495.
Frankly- the antique saddle market appeals to a fairly narrow section of society. If your objective is to sell it- try listing it on Craig's List at a realistic price- it is not a unique piece and is not rideable I wouldn't want to apply the stresses of riding to aluminum tree that is at least 50 years old.) Unless it has some kind of provenance- as in: it belonged to a famous person or appeared in a film or TV show and you could PROVE it- then you might set a higher value. IF you can find the right person- you might get a few hundred dollars for it.
Hope this helps,
S. Evans
Sores on horses
QuestionQUESTION: this is kinda gross so i apologize to
Horse swallen ankle problem
QuestionQUESTION: Hi.I am not much in to horses but a g
Double bridle prob.
Question
Uriah and Hope
I have a saddlebred and
stumbler
QuestionQUESTION: Hi Lyn,
I am also an expert in horse
