Silver and Piteado Saddle Belonging to Manuel Ávila Comacho

Elaborate and elegant piteado and silver saddle and accessories, owned by the former President of Mexico. On an El Tigre rawhide tree, with high-relief silver work and extensive piteado embroidery of the finest craftsmanship. Leather laced edges, silver conchos and stirrup mountings. Impressive horsehead and horseshoe “crest” in silver on the horn. Matching saddle bags, rifle scabbard, and matching sword scabbard on the other side that is complete with an engraved sword with silver handle and guard. The acid etched blade reads, “Solo que la mar se seque no me bañaré en sus olas” with “Oaxaca” on the other side. Matching bridle with silver horsehead and horseshoe decorations. Complete with ornate fringed saddle pad with floral tooling and lion’s head designs in corner, and a rare and unusual dispatch case. Includes wrought-iron stand.

Manuel Ávila Camacho was president of Mexico from 1940 to 1946.

Verbal history: From the Estate of Manuel Ávila Camacho

Lot 491, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 25-26, 2019. Mesa, AZ.
Sold $20,060.

The Lone Ranger's Edward H. Bohlin Saddle Ensemble

Legendary Bohlin saddle ensemble belonging to the Lone Ranger. From the estate of producer Jack Wrather, this is the saddle seen in most every television episode and film appearance of the Lone Ranger throughout the 1950s. Most often seen being ridden by Clayton Moore, it was also used by John Hart in his portrayal of the masked man, and most correctly belonged to the character of the Lone Ranger rather than an actor playing him. The saddle, bridle and breast collar set are in the style of Bohlin’s San Gabriel model, with only a few variations. The Bohlin shield plate is engraved “L R” and the rear cantle plate is beautifully inscribed “The Lone Ranger.” The seat is 14 1/2" and the cantle 4 1/2", the tapaderos are 22" long. A production-used, classic Bohlin saddle ensemble seen by millions and immortalized on film and television. 
Pictured: "Saddlemaker to the Stars: The Leather and Silver Art of Edward H. Bohlin," by James Nottage, page 117.  
Exhibited: Autry Museum of the American West. 

Lot 216, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - June 23rd, 2018, Santa Fe, NM.
Sold $153,400

Troy West (TCAA) Tooled Saddle

Custom saddle by noted maker and Traditional Cowboy Arts Association member, Troy West. This positively stunning, fully tooled saddle boasts an illustrious history, having won 1st Place at the annual Wichita Falls Competition, 1st Place at the Panhandle Leather Show, and then went on display at the famous Luskey's / Ryon's in Fort Worth, Texas. Troy built this saddle, the tree (Olin Young), and the silver conchos. The seat is 16" and the matching tapaderos are 24".  A true piece of cowboy art by one of our contemporary masters. 

Lot 103, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - June 23rd, 2018, Santa Fe, NM.
Sold $6,050

Saddles from the Chladiuk Museum Collection

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

Chuck Stormes (TCAA) Saddles

Chuck Stormes (TCAA) Custom Saddle. Breathtaking custom saddle created in 1996 for noted race horse owner and western collector, Bruce Hundley, owner of Saxony Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. This stunning, fully floral tooled custom saddle features 27” tapaderos, a 16” seat, square skirts, and amazing tooling by one of the very best in the business. Carved into the back of the cantle is the Farm’s logo of a “SAXONY” race horse with jockey atop. Bruce’s “BCH” monogram is carved into the back of the seat. The saddle has been proudly featured on the home page of Chuck’s website as an example of the finest custom saddles offered. Marked, “STORMES SADDLE Co. / MAKERS / CALGARY ALBERTA”.

Lot 53 Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $11,800

Chuck Stormes (TCAA) Custom Saddle. Beautiful, yet understated, this custom saddle by Chuck Stormes is elegant in its simplicity. A 3B saddle with tooling on the cantle, front of the seat and the pommel. Deep brown, inset 16” seat, a 3 1/2" Cheyenne roll cantle, 26" tapaderos, round skirts and styling in the true Vaquero tradition. Circa 2008, in very slightly used condition, and exceptionally well-cared-for.

Chuck is a founding member of the TCAA, and one of the most respected saddle makers in the world, not only because of his exacting craftsmanship, but his understanding of traditions, history and horsemanship. 

Lot 52 Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $6,490

Dixie Thompson's Loomis Saddle

LOT 246 - Dixie Thompson's Custom Loomis Saddle Outfit.
Spectacular, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted saddle by Loomis Saddlery, with custom silver by the Tiffany-trained artist, Edwin Field. Complete with bit, headstall, breast collar, reins, martingale, cinch, skirt and lariat, all circa 1888-90. Commissioned by Santa Barbara capitalist, rancher and one-time sea captain, Dixie W. Thompson, the silverwork alone took over two years to complete, and was fashioned with bullion from Mexican silver dollars. Dixie rode the saddle in numerous parades, and it was exhibited at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The saddle is discussed in detail in numerous newspaper articles of the time, including the May 4, 1896 “San Francisco Call”, which referred to the saddle as having “the reputation of being the most gorgeous thing of its kind in the world.”

Provenance: Dixie W. Thompson Estate; to M.H. de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA.
Proceeds to benefit the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco’s acquisition funds.

Brian Lebel's Old West Auction, June 6th, 2015
SOLD $195,500

Rare S.C. Foy Saddle

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Lot 110
Wonderful early trail saddle with California influence. Large leaf tooling and swept-back lower skirts. True half-seat with Sam Stagg rigging and exposed upper cantle. 12 ½” seat, 4 ½” cantle. 4 per side copper slotted conchos, riveted stirrup leathers, no side jockeys, exposed rawhide horn. 14 ½” tapaderos have 4 slotted copper conchos each. With period rawhide reata. A true showpiece and premiere example of an early California ranching saddle. Circa 1860s-70s.

Brian Lebel's Old West Auction, June 6th, 2015
SOLD $60,375

Edward H. Bohlin "Lone Star" Parade Saddle

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Edward H. Bohlin Lone Star Parade Saddle

LOT 211: We are very proud to present the seldom-seen Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, California "Lone Star" model sterling silver mounted Parade saddle with matching Bohlin Bridle and Breast Collar.

PROVENANCE: By descent through the family of Dianna Converse of Santa Paula, CA. 

Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction, Jan 24, 2015
SOLD $46,000