Year: 1891

page_text: g. is a side view OL the same.
Fig. 7 is an arched or curved piece of wood or other suitable material made in
the shape of the segment of a circle so as to fit into the back circular part of the
saddle top.
Fig. 8 is an end view of the same.
Figs. 9 & 10 shew straps or plating which are firmly fastened to the arched
piece (Fig. 7) by screws or nails and at their other ends fastened to the head
piece Fig. 5 by rivets or screws.
Having made the block (Figs. 1 & 2) of the exact form and size of the saddle
seat desired to be made we cut a piece of green hide (which we prefer to be
bullocks hide on account of its greater thickness and strength) to a convenient size
for our purpose we then make it thoroughly soft and pliable by steeping in water
or other means and then stretch it firmly across, over and around the said block and
tack or otherwise fasten the greenhide firmly to the edges of the said block in
such a manner that when the greenhide hardens in drying by natural or artificial
means it will be stretched stiftly over the block fitting it completely and when
removed from the said block form the body and edges of the foundation of the
saddle as shewn in Figs. 3 & 4 and in a hard but somewhat elastic material in the
exact shape of the seat of the saddle required.
This foundation or top is very firm and stiff when made of greenhide and dried
but to render it impervious to water and the damp to which saddles are exposed we
thoroughly coat it inside and out with boiled linseed oil of the best quality. We
find this method of rendering it water proof suitable for our purpose but in some
cases we have used varnish for the same purpose.
The greenhide saddle foundation being thus formed and having suitable edges as
shewn in Fig. 4 we place within it a layer of felting or other suitable and soft
material and above this in the interior of the back curve we place and tack firmly
the wooden segment shewn in Figs. 7 & 8 so as to stiffen the hinder part of the
saddle top we prefer this segment to be formed out of hickory or ash for strength
but it can be made of any suitable material. In the head part of the foundation
we place the plate shewn in Figs. 5 & 6 which is bent accurately to the form of the
head of the saddle, fitting it in firmly so that the greenhide may be properly sewn
around it; and to this head we rivet or attach the straight ends of the plating
Price dl

page_text: shewn in Figs. 9 & 10 laying the curved ends on the curved piece (Figs. 7 & 8)
with which they correspond and screwing or nailing them firmly to the same.
These plates together with the head plate we prefer to make of steel and slightly
corrugated longitudinally to secure lightness and strength.
It will be seen that the plating is thus so arranged that it is easily fixed in the
greenhide foundation is readily adapted for use in different sizes of saddles and
less labor is required than is usual; the bellies also are formed underneath the
saddle top without being separately attached as in the ordinary method of making
saddles.
Having placed the plating in position within the greenhide foundation as
described we place strips of felting or leather over the same, and over these strips
of leather or greenhide and sew or sew and nail the whole together around, outside
and inside the edges so as to entirely envelope the plating, after which we coat
with boiled linseed oil and produce a neat strong and water proof foundation for
a saddle.
We have thus made a greenhide top possessing great strength and
clasticity with a clear channel for the horses back and only requiring the panel
to be attached to the inside and the usual flaps and skirts to the outside to form
a'complete, strong light and clastic saddle ready for use. We wish it to be under-
stood that we do not confine ourselves to the exact details for we have found
that a preparation of canvas or other suitable material made of sufficient thickness
to be treated in a similar manner to greenhide and afterwards retain its form,
can be used and stretched on our block instead of the greenhide but with a less
satisfactory result, the layer of felting also may be dispensed with also our shaping
block may be made in sections so as to be lengthened or shortened to suit
different sizes of saddles and may also be heated by steam or other means to
assist in the process of drying. An ordinary saddle tree or frame might also
be used in some cases instead of the block for stretching and shaping the
greenhide.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of, our inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1st. In the manufacture of saddles the use of greenhide blocked or molded
and strengthened by plating all substantially as described herein and illustrated.
2nd. The manufacture of a saddle top with greenhide blocked and molded and
strengthened by plating and sewing or nailing and sewing and a curved back piece
substantially as described herein and illustrated.
3rd. The manufacture of a saddle or saddle top with greenhide or other suitable
material molded on a block or frame plated and sewn all substantially as described
herein and illustrated.
Dated this 2nd day of Anvil 1891
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.