Old West Events is thrilled to offer four saddles from the Museum collection of Francois Chladiuk. These saddles have been part of numerous museum exhibitions, and appear in numerous publications.
Important Moran Bros. Display Saddle. A true Territorial loop seat saddle by Moran Bros. (Miles City, Montana Territory). Exhibition quality, with beautifully carved leather. Floral and vine tooled just about everywhere, with a well-outfitted cowboy with rifle tooled on one fender, and a regal Indian with bear claw necklace on the other fender. A roping cowboy is carved on the 15” seat. Every place they could tool, they did, and this magnificent showpiece is the result. Covered oxbows, and original double horsehair cinches with covered rings. Cartouche of “MORAN BRO’S / MILES CITY. M.T.” An important piece of Montana history, Buffalo Bill history, and Western collecting history. A truly special saddle.
Included with this lot is an original cabinet card photograph of the saddle, by L.A. Huffman (Miles City, Mont.), taken when the saddle was new.
Lot 184, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $22,420
Fancy Pearl Inlaid Mexican Saddle with Spurs. Stunning and fine Mexican saddle with an inlaid Mexican Eagle on the front of the apple horn. The swells feature crossed rifles and crossed sabers in mother-of-pearl. Extra-fancy silver thread embroidery, with flowers, horseshoes and horse heads. The tree is a deep mahogany wood, with 12” seat with leather pads. Extra fancy cinch. Made in Colima, the saddle belonged to a provincial governor in the time of Pancho Villa, circa 1910-20. In remarkable condition, especially considering its materials and age.
Accompanying the saddle are fine, period-correct, silver inlaid spurs with silver thread embroidered straps. Fancy wood saddle stand included.
Lot 182, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $11,210
A Fine Silver Mounted Maximilian Period Charro Saddle. Incredible silver mounted Mexican saddle, circa 1860. The huge and impressive 8 1/2" silver repousse horn with flowering basket and rope edge leads to the 12" seat and the silver bound cantle. Lion head decoration and ring holders along the side, silver covered stirrups, bindings and rigging rings. The saddle was brought to Europe by a French officer after the defeat at the Siege of Queretaro in 1867. It was this battle that ultimately led to the end of Maximilian’s rule and his life.
Lot 183, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $10,620
L.D. Stone Salesman's Sample-Size Saddle. Remarkably rare (the only one we have ever seen), maker-marked salesman sample-size saddle. A true half-scale saddle, with 7 ½” seat, circa 1890. Floral and leaf tooled on jockeys, skirts, and fenders. "L.D. Stone & Co. / San Francisco" mark on each fender. Basket stamped on the front and back of the 2" cantle. The stirrup leathers are chain stamped. Sam Stagg rigging, exposed rawhide horn with red pigment, 7 1/2" lined tapaderos over leather covered stirrups. 12" braided horsehair cinch with iron rings. An amazing find on so many levels, and probably the only one in existence. Includes custom stand.
According to Francois, this saddle was displayed at the entrance to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West as an attraction for an act that featured a monkey riding a goat. It is clear from its condition that it was only used for marketing, and not for the monkey.
Lot 185, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $44,250
