Side Saddle Parts Rigged On Antique Padded Surcingle With Slipper Shoe Stirrup
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:435295 |
This antique padded unmarked surcingle was used as the basic framework for this unique side saddle. The side saddle parts that are attached to this surcingle include two pommels [horns] on the left side, a leather handle on the right side, a slipper shoe stirrup [ attached to the stirrup iron] and a 2 1/2 inch wide girth strap. The two pommels are firmly attached to the surcingle but they do swivel completely around. They are curved and are 8 inches in height and 3 1/2 inches in width.... The outside of the pommel is made with brown leather and the inside of the pommel are made with soft light colored leather. The inside light colored leather is attached to the outside darker leather with many small nails. The surcingle pads perform the same function as the panels do on a conventional sidesaddle. A harness saddle could have been used as the basic framework instead of the surcingle but the surcingle appears to be a better fit for the side saddle parts. It is assumed a riding pad of some kind was used with this surcingle outfitted as a side saddle. There are two distinct pads attached to the underside of the surcingle and they appear to be held firmly in place by a tree. The existence of a tree could be questioned. The distance between the pads at the center of the surcingle is 1/2 inch and at the ends of the pads the distance is 21 inches. The color of the pads leather is light colored compared to the darker brown thicker leather on the top side of the surcingle. The width of this darker leather at its widest point is 6 3/4 inches and the overall length of the top of the surcingle is approximately 27 1/2 inches. At the center of each pad the width is approximately 6 1/4 inches and the depth or thickness are 3 inches. The actual length of the pads are 12 inches from the center to the end. There is hand tooled leather on the darker leather on the top of the surcingle and the tooling extends to the end of the girth strap. Considering the age of this piece of riding equipment it is in pretty good shape. The soft light brown leather at the ends of the pads are slightly worn.
