Original 1850s-1860s Hope Saddle - Civil War Cavalry, Texas and Western For Sale

Civil War or Pre-Civil War era Hope Saddle.

These lightweight saddles were developed by Richard Hope in Texas in the 1830s and known by his name. As their popularity spread beyond the state they came to be referred to as \"Texas\" saddles. They are characterized by the flat, wide pommel, low cantle and sidebars with stirrup strap slots. Ken Knopp\'s book and website on Confederate saddles deals with these, as do a number of other sources on early saddles like \"Man Made Mobile.\" I show an exact parallel from Knopp\'s site that he dates to the 1850s.

These were set up and rigged in different fashions. This one has a half-seat, the same as illustrated by Knopp, and is complete rawhide covered, not leather, also like the one he shows, and which he also says is an indication of an early date, along with the absence of skirts and the large flat horn.

The short leather straps running from the heart-shaped bases on either side are the original rigging straps. Someone, after the saddle\'s useful life, must have decided they looked better shortened and looped to the rear so they tacked the ends in place on the side bars beneath the rear of the seat. This was done a long time ago.

They tacks used have large two-stepped dome heads are a probably brass, but have have darkened with age. The strap on he left side is broken just forward of the rear rivets- no leather is missing, just a break. The one on the right is intact. I have left them as I found them. The seams show some shrinkage, but the rawhide seems to have life in it and would likely soften and stretch with water if someone wanted to undertake the restoration, but I can\'t guarantee anything. I have not attempted any cleaning or repair. The rawhide on the top of the pommel lifted up somewhat and was nailed back down with small tacks during the period. I see a small period repair on the outside back of the seat.

Measuring from the top of the gullet to the inside rear edge of the cantle gives a seat measurement of 12 1/2 inches, maybe a fraction more. There may be other ways of determining this, but this seems to be the standard way of doing so. When on a more or less flat surface the rear top edge is 5 1/4 inches off the ground and the top front edge of the horn about 9 1/2 inches from the ground. At its widest, across the back of the seat it is 11 1/4 inches, and from back to front 18 inches at its longest, back edge of seat to front of side bar, or front edge of horn.

These are usually associated with Confederate cavalry, especially in the western theater. Knopp shows one with a purported association with John Hunt Morgan. But they saw eastern use by rider\'s preference, especially among officers, and many Yankees used them as well. I show a photo from \"Man Made Mobile\" picturing a trooper from the Second Nebraska Cavalry riding one, as can been seen from the pommel.

This came from my area, but has no particular history, unfortunately.

This would go great in a CW cavalry or early western display and would look striking with some period stirrup straps and stirrups.
Guaranteed original forever.US only please. Shipping $15 insured. NY addresses add sales tax. Thanks!
Payment by paper rather than paypal is fine, too.