Where to look for the makers mark on a old saddle?

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Pards, 
This morning when I went got to the shop, someone had left me a present on by porch, it was a old saddle and bridale! As of thois moment, I don't know anything about saddles and I would like to see, if maybe it is a company made or maybe it was just made  by someone!
I have only been around a saddle for 12 days in my life, and I wasn't pating any attention to it or even how they strap on, so I am hopeing that someone can tell me where I might look for a makers mark? It isn't plain Jane, it has a lot of stamping, and pretty nice work! Someone. at sometime put there name or nick name carved in the leather with a pocket knife or something, up by the horn.

I would be great full for any help? If it isn't a name brand of yesteryear, I thought I might try to do some repaires to it, so it could be used! I will try to get a pick of it, if I can get back out of the house in next fews days! I have a little problems that is causesing me mobility problem, so i won't be doing much or anything for awhile.

Thanks for reading!
ACE

[Gun Butcher]

Ace, all the ones I have ever looked at had the makers mark on the back side of the cantle (seat) . Some had marks on the stirrup leathers and on the horn cap. Good luck finding it and hope you can get around better soon.


Here is a little quick sketch to show you what I mean . Some of the guys who are really into collecting may be able to help you more

[RollingThunder]

Posting pictures would be a good start to identifying it. I have a friend with a pretty good library of information regarding saddle makers.

[Ace Lungger]

GB & RT,
I thank both of you Pards for the help, if I can get to the shop, i will do my best to post some pic's . The saddle isn't brittle, it needs a good cleaning, and repairs done to the straping (what ever you call those, plus the peices that hold the foot(stirup?) the right side is bad. But it has stampong and some carving, no silver on it!
I would like to clean it up, fix it up, and then find someone that loves Horses and riding and would take care of it, then I would just give it to them, if I knew that the person would take care of it!
Thanks Again
ACE

[santee]

Go for it, Ace!

[RollingThunder]

The straps that hold the stirrups are comprised of three parts. The fender, the stirrup leather, and the buckles. The fender is what keeps your leg from picking up a bunch of sweat off the horse's sides. The stirrup leather is the actual part that is looped around the stirrup and then up around the tree. The buckles are usually Blevins buckles on newer saddles. The Meanea, though as an example, is laced.

[Gun Butcher]

  Sorry RT, I guess I should known someone would bust me for labeling the fenders as stirrup leathers. I was trying  to keep it as simple as possible but I should have labeled the sketch correctly.  Mea culpa.

[RollingThunder]

LOL. Half the time I don't know my billet from my chape.

[Gun Butcher]

  Speaking of, I don't think I have ever heard the end of the argument about what to call the one piece stirrup leather and fender combined. 

[RollingThunder]

How about, "Stirrup leather with built-in fenders?"

LOL.

Never did like them much, myself.