So anyways, I got a steal on this saddle. I have a few questions about it. Yes, the tree is solid and everything, but I want to know about the brand. The girl I bought it from is pretty sure it's an old Martha Josey saddle, but from the saddle style and the way it is put together, I put it at a saddle from the late 70s-the 80s. Were Martha Josey saddles around then?
And another thing that I am super curious about; it looks as though at one time the saddle was painted black. The original leather parts that I have seen are a gorgeous red/brown. Is there any way I can get the black paint off? It is wearing off in some places and wasn't even applied in others, but I like my tack to look as good as it feels. I'm obsessive about keeping it clean, oiled, and in very good condition. The paint is patchy in some places, and ITS DRIVING ME INSANE. Will it wear off quickly? I don't know how long ago it was painted, so how long does paint usually last? The paint is worn off next to the seat; on the pommel and on the leather strip on the cantle it is faded so that I can see the original color, just not well. The back of the cantle was never even painted, neither are the areas beneath the fenders where the fenders attach to the tree, and the are between the top part of the skirt and the bottom skirt aren't painted either. Some of the paint is wearing off on the bottom part of the fender as well. It just doesn't look super good and I reallly do not want to repaint it!
Any ideas? Yes, I know I bought this saddle for functionality and not for looks, but I want this to look good in case I do start barrels again with my friends horse. Depending on how well he does this spring, she is thinking of letting me run him a few times just so he is fine with the rodeo setting. She wants me to train him for barrels to add value in case she ever needs to sell him. So we do want to get him some experience. But I don't want to look like a cheapo with this patchy painted saddle, ya know what I mean?
