AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RIDING SADDLES
Year: 1825

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
TOMPSON, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-eighth day of June, in the sixth year of His reign,
did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said'
George Tompson, His especial licence that I, the said George Tompson, my
executors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said George Tompson,
my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also within all His said.
Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RIDING SADDLES;" in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso obliging me, the said George Tompson, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
and to cause the same to be inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after. the date of
the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being there-
unto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: pass over the main bar), to pass between the main bar and the stirrup bar at
the space marked (y, in Figures 1 and 10), and to perform its office without
galling against the stirrup bar. Figure 14, an inside view of the cantle. lis
the rivet hole for the insertion of the main bar, and m is the rivet hole for the
affixing of the hand stay; and these letters have relation to the corresponding
points in Figure 1. n, n, is the web staple, which the hinder end of the long
web is drawn over and sewn to; and such web staple is extended along the
oblong hole and rivetted into the cantle at the points n, n. p is a hole, into
which a staple for a crupper may, if required, be inserted by means of a screw
pin to such staple and a nut in the inside; and this may be affixed at any
time after the saddle is completed. q is a screw hole, passing through the
cantle and through the brass fastener, for affixing the pannel; herein-after more
particularly described. r and s denote the situation of the rivets, whereby the said
fastener is affixed to the cantle. t, t, t, t; denote the situation of the internal
socket of the fastener, up which a blade or hasp, affixed to the funnel, is to be
slidden, for the purpose of securing the pannel to the saddle. The small
dotted line on the cantle denote that upon the space inclosed within the dotted
line down to the lower edge of the cantle the cantle is to be of double thick-
ness by rivetting and brazing a piece of the same kind of steel of that form
thereon. The larger dots round the edge of the cantle are holes for sewing
to. Figure 15 is an inside view of one half of the same cantle before the
web staple and the fastener are affixed, with letters to shew the points corre-
sponding with Figure 14. Figure 16 is a back view of the same cantle, with
letters to shew the points corresponding with Figures 14 and 15. The circles
round the rivet holes denote that they are to be countersunk. The height and
shape of the cantle may be varied to suit the intended fashion of the saddle.
They may also be either perfectly flat or bent from end to end like a bow, in
a greater or less degree, having the hollow part in the inside; but it must be
observed that if such cantle is to be in a bent form, it will require to be cut
out as much longer than one that is intended to remain flat, as the bending
will take up. Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, exemplify the form of the
fastener wherewith the pannel is to be attached to the saddle. 17 is a front
view; 18, the upper side; 19, the bottom; 20, the side with the rivets at the
back to fit into the corresponding holes r and s in the cantle; and 21 is the
back. 2 is the screw hole, corresponding with that in the cantle and that in
the blade intended to be attached to the pannel plate herein-after described,
and severally marked with the same letter. t, t, denote the socket into which
such blade is to slide. Figure 22, the web staple to be affixed into the corre-
ponding rivet holes (n, n,) in the cantle. Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12,

page_text: Figure 23 is a plan of the frame or tree. The letter I shows the belly on
the off' side, which, in my improved tree, is obliged to be added, as herein-after
mentioned and here shewn, and does not form a part of the tree as in wooden
trees. The outward line and the dotted line in the inside are the form of the
under leather, and the same outward line and the line marked thus --
are the form of the upper leather. The letters u, u, u, u, denote small
strips of sheet steel for stiffening the belly. The scoring marked with
the letters v, v, v, v, v, denote back stitching, to which is to be sewn
the back of the seat and skirts, as herein-after mentioned. The letter z
shews a piece left out of the belly where the brass fastener for the pannel is
affixed. The other letters on Figure 23 refer to the corresponding points in
Figure 1. The main head is to be made of a sufficient length of round rod
iron or spring steel, as aforesaid, by bending the same into the shape described
in the Drawing; a hole on each side is to be made from back to front for the
main bars to be therein inserted, observing, that I consider it preferable to
make such holes tapering (videlicet, somewhat larger at the back than at
front). A round notch or hollow is to be made at each bottom end of the main
head in the inside, but slanting a little outwards towards the front, such notch
or hollow being exactly large enough to receive into it the smaller side bar. The
main bars are to be made of round rod iron or spring steel; the hinder end
(except the last inch) of each is to be of its full size for the length of three
inches, and thence tapered gradually to the front (which does not require so
great a thickness as the hinder part); the hinder last inch may be suddenly
tapered down to the end, shouldering off with the file the extremity, so as to
leave it as a rivet of sufficient size and length for the purpose of riveting into
the cantle. These bars are to be bent to the shape shown in the Drawing, the
convex part being downwards, and it should be observed, that the fore half of
the bar is to be straight, all the curve being in the hinder half; the fore end of
so much of each of these main bars is to be filed away as to leave a rivet corre-
sponding with the holes made through the main head, as above mentioned, into
which the same are to be inserted and firmly rivetted, the shoulders of the rivet
coming into close contact with and resting against the back of the main head,
so that thereby the main head and the main bars form such angles with each
other as are shewn in the Figure in the Drawing, and the rivetting is then
to be brazed (that is to say), soldered with brass. The cantle is to be cut out

page_text: of sheet iron or steel of sufficient thickness in the form, shewn in the Figures
in the Drawing, with holes therein to correspond therewith. Such cantle
should be strengthened in the middle part, as shewn in the said Figure, by
rivetting thereon an additional thickness of sheet iron or steel, and also
brazing such double thickness in addition to such rivetting. The height of the
cantle may be increased at pleasure, and it may be either flat or bent from end
to end like an arch (the hollow of it being in the inside); in the lower
part of the middle of the cantle a small hole may be made wherein to
insert a screw end of a loop or staple (in the ordinary form) for a crupper
if required; which loop or staple may be fastened by a small nut in the
inside of the cantle; in the inside of the cantle and along the oblong
holes are to be placed, in manner shewn in the Figure in the Drawing,
the staples for affixing the hinder ends of the long webs; as herein-
after more particularly mentioned. These staples are to be firmly rivetted at
each end into the cantle, and the rivets brazed in. The cantle is to be affixed
to the main bars by rivetting, and afterwards brazing the hinder ends of such
main bars into the holes made for that purpose at the lower ends of the cantle.
The hinder stays are to be made of round rod iron or spring steel, and to be
affixed to the cantle by first rivetting and then brazing them to the same at
the upper end, as shewn in the Drawing. The other end of each such hind
stay is to be affixed to the main bar at the points, also shewn in the Drawing,
by first making a little shoulder with the file in the main bar-for such stay to
fit against, and then binding with wire and brazing the same thereto, and-after-
wards filing away the wire with the surplus brass and dross. Each of the fore
stays is to be made of similar materials to the hind stays, and to be affixed at
the upper end to the main head by making a shallow hole in the back of the
main head to receive the point of such stay, and bluntly pointing such stay to
correspond with such hole, and then binding and brazing the said point into
the said hole, and each such fore stays is to be affixed at the lower end-to each
respective main bar by filing a little shouldering in the upper side of the main
bars respectively for the lower ends of the respective fore-stays to fit against,
and then binding and brazing them to the same in like manner, as the lower.
ends of the hinder stays. The stirrup bar is to be affixed on each side by
rivetting the same respectively at-three points to each respective lower end of
the main head, and to the main bars respectively, as shewn in the Drawing,
and the rivetted parts are afterwards to be brazed. The small side bars are to
be made of round rod iron or spring steel, and each of them is to be annexed
to the other part of the frame by rivetting the hinder end of such small bar
(which is flattened and beaten bollow to correspond with and receive the under

page_text: side of the main bar) into such main bar at the under side, and inserting
and rivetting the other end of such small side bar into the notch or hollow
made, as above mentioned, to receive it at each lower end of the main head,
but so that a small part of the fore end of each such small side bar shall
project a little way out in front beyond each point of the main head, as also
shewn in the said Figure. And such projecting points of the small bar
should incline a little obliquely outwards and upwards. The parts where the
said small side bars respectively are so rivetted to the main bars and lower
ends of the main head respectively are also to be brazed. The back head is
to be made of the same material as the fore and hind stays, and is to be in the
form shewn in the Drawing, and is to be first rivetted and then brazed at
each lower end of such back head to the back of the main head, so as to stand
out from the same, in manner shewn in the Drawing. The sockets whereby
to affix the pannels to the cantle are to be made of brass, and are to be fixed
to the cantle by rivetting the same (after all the brazing has been done),
through the holes made near the lower corners of the cantle for that purpose,
the flat socket hole or slit passing upwards through such piece of brasswork,
and the screw hole crossing and going through such socket hole through the
cantle and through such brasswork from front to back. The parts thus made and
fixed together form an entire frame or tree, and are to be cleared by filing
and smoothing off all surplus brass and other asperities; and the whole is to be
tinned or painted to prevent rust.
Having now described the various parts of my said improved metal frame
or saddle tree, I will proceed to describe the manner in which I proceed to
form a saddle therewith, for the tree being made of metal, it is evident the
ordinary means of nailing cannot be resorted to, and thus various expedients
must be used, applicable only to the peculiar frame or saddle tree herein-
before described, and they are as follows, that is to say:—
First, the two long webs, similar to those in accustomed use in the making
of saddles, and previously well strained in the ordinary manner) are to be laid
from the top of the main head to the cantle in the usual and ordinary position,
but are to be affixed as follows:-The hinder end of one web is to be passed
over and returned under one of the staples so fixed for that purpose, as before
mentioned, in the cantle, and to be made secure by transversely sewing fast
the under end to the upper part of the same web close against the said staple;
the other of the said long webs is to be in like manner passed round and secured
to the other of the said staples in the cantle. The two fore ends of the same
long webs are to be secured to the head by laying one web upon the other,
and passing both together over the back head and main head, and then

page_text: returning the same ends under the main head and over the back head, so that
the said fore ends of the long webs are placed in close contact with, and under
the said long webs over the back head. The fore end of each long web is
previously divided longitudinally, about two inches or a little more or less, as
may be necessary, to prevent a wrinkling or puckering in so affixing the same
to the main and back heads. It is desirable that the top of the main head, and
also the back head and the staples in the cantle to which the long webs
are so to be. affixed, should previously have been covered with leather'
to prevent cutting the webs; the fore ends of the long webs are then
to be securely sewed to the main fore part of them by transversely sewing:
through both in the space between the main head and the back head from the
upper to the under side and back; care must be taken in this, as in the
ordinary saddles in the laying of the long webs, that they are laid equally and
as loose as may be necessary to give the proper degree of sweep in the seat of:
the saddle when complete, without such sweep reaching down to the back-
bone of the horse when the completed saddle is placed on his back, but no
certain length can be stated, inasmuch as it will depend upon the intended
fashion and purpose of the saddle. Cross straining (which is usual in the
ordinary method of making saddles) is also necessary to the making of a
saddle with my improved tree, and in the usual and ordinary position, but is to
be affixed in a manner different from the ordinary mode. Such cross webs
are to be passed over the main bar on each side, and the ends returned:
under the same bars, and brought to a close contact with and secured by
transverse sewing to the same respective cross web close to the said bar; a
sufficient number of these cross webs must be so affixed and drawn and
fastened so tight as to draw down the long webs to the sweep required for the
seat. As many cross webs must be put as will fill up the space from the
bottom of the hind stays to the respective parts of the main bars where the
small side bars are rivetted and brazed thereto, and another of sufficient width
to pass under the hind stays, and to strain down the back part of the seat into
the proper degree of sweep, and the same is to be fastened to the hind stays at
each side by passing round them, and then sewing through in the same
manner as the other cross webs are fastened to the main bars forward; from
the part of the main bars respectively where the small side bars are rivetted
there will require (as is usual in ordinary cases) one broad cross web to
answer the double purpose of cross straining and of affixing the straps for the
girths, that is to say, the said last-mentioned cross web is to be drawn over
the long webs, and over the outside of the main bars, and not returned back
beneath the main bars, but affixed firmly to the main bars by sewing the same.

page_text: to a piece of leather of equal width, which is to be placed on the contrary side
of each such main bar from the last-mentioned piece of cross web, and such
piece of leather and piece of web being firmly sewn to each other both above
and below each main bar, leaving the ends of the last-mentioned piece of cross
web hanging below and on the outside of the main bars respectively for the
girth straps to be affixed thereto as in ordinary cases. Another piece of cross
web of sufficient width to answer the length of the two fore stays is to be
extended tightly across and over the long webs next to the head, and fastened
by passing the ends over and returning the same under the said two forestays,
and sewing the same in like manner as the ends of the other cross webs are
directed to be sewn round the other bars and stays; but the last-mentioned
piece of cross web may be left till after the other part of the cross straining is
completed. The front edge of the cross web to which the girth straps are to be
affixed is to be sewed firmly through the long webs in the ordinary manner, so
as to fasten the said cross web thereto, and prevent the same being drawn
back by straining over the cantle, as herein-after mentioned; the long webs
must be drawn sideways as near as they can be brought towards the main
bars on each side respectively, by which the seat will be considerably tightened
and levelled. The long webs are to be fastened at the sides by sewing the
outer edge of each to the cross webs, the cross webs are then to be sewn
together by the edges in the usual manner, then to the hinder hedge of the
hindmost cross web a piece of strong cross straining linen cloth is to be sewn
in the ordinary manner; a piece of strong linen cloth must be now or
previously have been firmly pasted over the back part of the cantle, and
returned over the edges thereof, so as to cover the whole back and edges of
the cantle, turning the edges of the cloth over, and pasting the same down on
the inside of the cantle, and a piece of hog's skin or basil leather pasted all
over the inside of the cantle, covering the edges of the last-mentioned piece of
linen cloth so pasted on the cantle as aforesaid, and leaving the said leather
about one inch loose below the cantle, (for the puroose of sewing the hinder
edges of the hog's skin thereto, when blocked on as herein-after mentioned);
the cross straining linen cloth above mentioned is now to be tightly drawn
over the upper edge of the cantle, and firmly sewn front and back through and
through the holes all round the upper edge of the cantle to each bottom corner,
with strong waxed thread, and it may or may not be whip-stitched to the hind
stays as may be thought fit, according to the intended degree of sweep of the
seat, which by the above-mentioned operations will now be completed both
longitudinally and transversely. It is useful (but not indispensably necessary) to
pass a row of stitches across the hind part of the seat, through both the long

page_text: webs and cross straining, to make all firm together; the straining is then to be
secured (against the injury that might arise in case the edges of the holes in the
cantle should, in the action of the saddle, cut the threads which bind the linen
to it) by sewing again through and through such holes and linen straining
with copper or brass binding wire (annealed). In case a greater degree of
firmness and straightness is desired on the upper part of the twist than can be
given by the straining, such twist may be rendered firmer and straighter by
pasting or otherwise fastening smoothly a few thin slices of cork upon the
twist. The next process is to cut out a piece of strong leather in the shape in
which the belly of the saddle is intended to be (corresponding with the belly
of the present wooden tree); this piece of leather is to be placed under the
main bar from the cantle to a sufficicient distance forward along the main bar,
and extending as far outwards from the bar as to form the shape which may
be required, according to the intended fashion of the saddle. A sufficient
width of the leather (namely, about a quarter of an inch) nust extend under
and along the inner side of the main bar against the cross webbing, and the
same must be firmly sewed through the webbing the whole length of such
piece of leather so intended for the belly; the said under leather is to be
shaved thinner to the edges, and particularly towards the back and front edges,
to take off abruptness of form. Another piece of the same kind of leather,
corresponding in shape of the intended belly, is to be placed on the upper side
of the main bar, exactly above the said under leather of the belly, and
extending throughout the whole length of such piece of under leather, so far
upon the upper side of the webbing as to make a regular slope from the
webbing over the bar to the outward edge of the intended belly, where the said
upper and under leathers are to meet, (about three fourths of an inch is
sufficient to extend upon upper side of the webbing as above mentioned,) and
the edge of such upper leather next to the webbing is to be shaved thin, so as
not to make a protuberance or ridge upon the webbing; such upper leather is
then to be sewn firmly down to the webbing by stitching along the edge so
lying along the webbing, through both upper leather and webbing, the whole
Jength of such upper leather; this upper leather at the fore end is also to be
shaved off gradually thinner to the edge, to prevent any ridge or lump, and to
range off gradually till it meets the level of the main bar covered with the
webbing. A piece of cork or other substance capable of being stitched
through (but I prefer cork for its lightness) is to be cut of a correspondent
from with the upper and under leathers of the belly, and placed between the
same; the edge of such cork which lies against the main bar to be nearly as
thick as such main bar, and the thickness gradually sloped off to the outer

page_text: edge of the belly, so as to terminate in a thin edge; this piece of cork or other
substance is then to be sewn between the upper and under leathers of the belly,
by sewing the edges of such upper and under leathers together, and also
passing several rows of firm stitches of about half an inch long each through the
whole, from the main bar to the outer edge of the belly, as a means of making
the belly firm with as light leather as possible. I put three or four more
strips of thin sheet steel about half an inch wide at equal distances upon
the top of the under leather of the belly under the main bar and the cork,
so that one end of each is under the main bar and the other extends nearly
to the outer edge of the belly, and such pieces of steel are to be sewn in
by means of the above-mentioned rows of stitches. Such pieces of steel
should be well hammered to make them as stiff and springy as possible, and
the edges rounded and made very smooth to prevent cutting, and it is proper
to tin them to prevent rust. To make the belly more firm glue may be used,
either by spreading it on the inside of the leathers, or upon the cork, or by
saturating with glue mill-board, coarse pasteboard, or paper, and laying the
same within the belly, and thus reduce the thickness of leather. The outer
edge of the belly is to be neatly rounded at the edge, and the under surface
of the belly is to range with the outward extremity of the under edge of the
cantle against which it is placed. The hinder part of such belly is to be
bound (if it requires such support in any instance) to the point of the cantle,
by means of a small piece of copper or brass binding wire (annealed). The
belly is now to be back-stitched through, within about or nearly an inch of
the outer edge, the whole length thereof, such back-stitching to be of strong
waxed thread, the rough duplication of the thread to be on the under side of
the belly, and the neater side of the stitching on the upper side of the belly.
To this stitching on the under side the shank of the back is to be sewed
when drawing on the seat and skirts as herein-after mentioned, instead of
nailing it to the wooden tree in the ordinary method of making the old
saddle. The hind part of the belly is of course to be formed similarly on
each side. A small piece is to be cut out of the hinder end of each belly
sufficient to allow the blade of the hinder hinge of the pannel herein-after
mentioned to slide up the brass socket herein-before mentioned on each
respective side. The false bellies (made in the ordinary way of saddle making)
are to be placed in the same situation as in the ordinary saddle, but are to
be fastened (instead of nailing to the wooden tree in the usual mode) by
sewing them through the before-mentioned bellies so made of leather and
cork, and through the holes made in the iron or steel cantle for that purpose.
The sewing to the cantle is best with wire to prevent cutting. The usual

page_text: seat cotton or serge is then to be put on in the same position and for the
same purpose as in making the ordinary saddle, and is to be sewn over and
round the head, and temporarily tacked with needle and thread to the centre
of the cantle through the holes in the upper part of the cantle, and also
tacked in the usual way with thread along the centre of the seat from head
to cantle, then drawn in the usual way over the bellies and tacked to the
under side temporarily with card tacks, then firmly back-stitched round or
cross-stitched over the outer edge of the bellies, instead of nailing to the
wood in the ordinary mode. The serge is then to be drawn up, and
temporarily tacked with thread all along and round the upper edge of the
cantle. The serge is then to be sewn down to the webbing in the usual
way on each side of the twist from the head to the belly; the seat is to be set
in the usual way with flocks to shape it, and cover all irregularities. The
serge or seat cotton is to be permanently secured to the upper edge of the
cantle by gradually withdrawing the temporary stitches and substituting
firm ones, doubling the edge of the serge, placing it over the edge of the
cantle, and whipping it to the cloth of the cross straining there affixed. After
setting the seat, withdrawing the card tacks, and trimming off the edges of
the seat cotton or serge, the hogskin seat is to be blocked on, but with
this difference from the usual mode with a wooden tree, videlicet, that it is
to be done by first tacking it on each side of the head with thread, and then,
after bringing the centre of the hogskin seat over the centre of the cantle,
it is to be tacked with thread to the piece of leather at the bottom, herein-
before mentioned to be pasted in the inside of the cantle, and left loose below
it. Then such hogskin seat being drawn down over the bellies, is to be
tacked to them on the under side in the usual way temporarily with card tacks,
and tacked down with thread on each side of the twist from the head to the
bellies. The hogskin is to be stretched and drawn up over and round the
cantle to the shape of the seat in the usual manner, tacking it to the said
piece of leather left at the bottom of the cantle as aforesaid, and in the usual
manner; the seat is to be marked out, the backs sewn thereto, and the skirts
and seat seamed ready for drawing on. Before drawing on the hogskin seat
and skirts a piece of leather is to be sewn in the inside of the gullet, fast to
the upper part, by stitching through it and the serge. seat between the main
and back heads, then through that piece of leather in line with the front of
the main head; for the space of four inches a row of fine whipcord loops well
soaped are to be placed so that they will draw by pulling the whipcord at
one end, then the said piece of leather is to be turned back upwards over
the front of the head and pasted down. These loops will then be even

page_text: with the front of the head and range therewith, and are for the purpose
not only of fastening down the hogskin seat in front, but also of affixing the
fore piece as herein-after mentioned. When the hogskin seat is ready for
finally drawing on it is to be secured at the head by passing the whipcord
loops through holes made in the hogskin to correspond, and it is to be also
temporarily secured to the back head. It is then to be drawn over the
sweep and the centre of the cantle in the usual manner; but instead of nailing
it is to be temporarily tacked with thread to the said piece of leather left at the
bottom as aforesaid. The backs are to be drawn over the bellies in the
usual manner, and taked underneath temporarily with card tacks. The
backs are then to be secured over the main bars as far as the fore stays, and
over the fore stays, by returning them underneath such main bars and fore stays,
and sewing them through (slitting the edges where necessary to make them
fit. They must also be drawn round the sides of and secured to the head
as low down as the insertion of the fore stays. To assist in securing the seat
till dry it may be useful to spread a little paste upon the head and the back
of the cantle, and the top of the bellies. When the seat is dry, the tacks
are to be withdrawn, and the backs firmly sewed to the back stitching on
the under side of the bellies herein-before mentioned to be placed there for
that purpose. The hogskin, which is drawn over the cantle, is to be secured
by stitching it neatly to the piece of leather at the bottom of the cantle,
close along the bottom of the cantle, as far as the insertion of the main bar
on each side, and then it is to be pared off and rubbed up underneath the
bellies; the edges of the hogskin, from the insertion of the main bar on each
side in the cantle to the outward corner of the cantle on each side, are to be
pasted down in those parts respectively where the four tuft or saddle nails
are usually fixed in the old saddle. Buttons are to be inserted by passing
the shanks through and firmly fastening them with a thong or strong waxed
thread on the under side. The flaps (cut out in the usual form and manner,
and of the usual materials, and either stuffed or not as may be wished)
are to be secured to the backs of the seat by strong sewing above each
respective main bar from the stirrup bar to such extent of the width of the
flap as the part will admit, and thinning off the upper edge which remains
unsewn of the flap, so that it may lie close between the main bar and
the shank of the skirt on each side, to which shank such flap is to be
stitched for about two inches of the hinder extremity of the flap. The
flap is to be secured in front by passing a piece of leather round the bar
of the head on each side, from the insertion of the fore stays down to the
bottom, where the point of the sinall side bars protrude, and sewing the flap to

page_text: such piece of leather on each side of the head. A fore-piece, such as is commonly
placed in the front of the head in the ordinary saddle, is to be affixed to the pre-
sent Invention; but instead of nailing it to the wooden tree, as usually affixed,
it is to be fastened in manner following, videlicet:-Holes are to be made in it
to correspond with the whipcord loops before mentioned, which are to be put
through the said holes. The second loop is then to be put through the first,
the third through the second, the fourth through the third, and so on of all
the rest of such loops, drawing them up and tightening them throughout the
whole process till the whole are drawn up and the fore-piece thereby firmly
fixed, and which also fixes and fastens the fore part of the hogskin seat under
the fore-piece. The end of the whipcord is to be secured by tying; a small pad,
edged with a neat facing of leather, is then to be inserted upon the fore-piece-
round the inside of the gullet, covering the whipcord loops, and sewn to the
front edge of the fore-piece and pasted down, and also sewn in the inside
through the backs. This pad should be about three inches from front to
back, and about five inches in extent from one side to the other round the
inside of the head. The purpose of this pad is to cover the cavities behind the
head, and also to cover the hardness of the inside of the head. The whole
inside of the seat and bellies are to be lined by pasting therein a thin basil
leather, so as to cover the nakedness of the webs, and stitching, and it is
better that the back, end of such basil leather should, before the drawing on of
the hogskin seat, be affixed close in the under side of the webbing next to the
cantle, by sowing it through the oblong hole (where the web staple is affixed)
to the linen which covers the back of the cantle. This will prevent that part.
of the basil leather getting loose afterwards by defection of the paste; or the
said basil leather may (in lieu of such sewing through the cantle) be sewn
through the linen cross straining before the seat cotton or serge is put on.
The ordinary girth straps are to be sewn to the girth web on each side in the
usual manner, and it is proper that the insides of the girth webs against the
small side bars be lined with a small piece of firm but thin leather, or the end
of the girth web doubled with the fag end undermost next to the said small
side bar, to prevent the wear of such girth web against the said small side bar,
which may also be covered with leather.
And now having described my said saddle frame or saddle tree, and the
mode of applying it, I will proceed to describe the second part of my said
Invention, namely, my said improved pannel. Figure 24, in the Drawing
marked B, is the upper or outward side of the near pannel, the plain uninter-
rupted line with the large black dots (denoting holes). Near the edge all
round is a sheet steel plate with nicks therein, as represented. In the front

page_text: end where it is so nicked it is to be bent a little outwards to prevent the edge
of the pannel binding against the shoulder of the horse. (a) is the fore hinge
or fastener, rivetted on the plate, the hole of which fastener (denoted by the
dotted line) is a socket corresponding with the point (e) in Figures 1 and 23,
which being therein inserted becomes a pivot for the pannel to move upon. b,
with the accompanying Figures 25 and 26, shew the hinder fastening in its
different parts, the blade of which working upon the hinge is slipped up the
socket of the brass fastener t, t, t, t, in Figures 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21,
and is there held by a screw passing through the screw hole shewn in the
same Figures by the letter q. c is the girth strap which is fixed to the under
side of the pannel by the rivet, also marked c, and is to pass over the main bar
and under the stirrup bar. The letters d shew the piece of stout leather
which faces the under side of the edge of the plate and extends beyond
it as far as the dotted line. All round the same space is to be also
faced on the upper side with leather. The letters e and the line marked
thus-
denote the whole space of the pannel, the under side
of which is to be covered with as many thicknesses of coarse woollen
cloth as may be necessary to form a proper pad or pannel. f is a small
strap to be fastened to the upper part of the front of the pannel, and
being passed through the fore-piece and round the bar of the main head, is to
be buckled to the buckle under the skirt of the saddle. The size of the
pannel and the distance as under of the two fastenings must of course corre-
spond with the size of the saddle. The thickness of sheet steel which I use
for the pannel is 1/2 of an inch from g to g. At the hinder part of the pannel
there must be left as much greater extent of edges of the woollen cloth as will
roll over and cover a roll of wet paper (such as has heretofore been commonly
made and used), which together form a thick roll (such as has also heretofore
been usual) upon the edge of the pannel in that situation, which roll when the
pannel is affixed to the saddle lies up close against and hides the bottom of
it as far as the pannel extends behind. The plates for the pannels are to be
cut out of sheet steel in the form shewn in the Drawing. The front binge of
each is to be made of wrought iron, in the form and affixed to the plate by
riveting in the manner also shewn in the Drawing. The form and manner of
the hinder hinge of each pannel is also shewn in the Drawing, and such
hinder hinge is a small flat blade of steel, rounded at each end, with a
hole at the lower end through which a short piece of thick wire is passed,
which wire being flattened at each end is rivetted at both ends to the hinder
part of the plate, across a small oblong hole therein made for that purpose, so
that the steel blade works upon the wire as a hinge. There is another hole in

page_text: the said steel blade, through which when the blade is pushed up the brass
socket in the cantle, the screw is to be passed to secure the blade in the
socket, and thereby secure the pannel to the frame. The screw is of iron to fit
the screw hole made through the brass socket, and the head of it may be plated.
The use of the above hinges is as follows:-The point projecting in front of
the small side bar on the near side of the frame is to be inserted in the hole of
the front hinge of the pannel shewn in the Drawing (which is a near side
pannel, the off' side being of a corresponding form), then the small steel blade
working upon the wire at the hinder part of the pannel is to be pushed up the
brass socket at the lower corner of the cantle, and the screw being then passed
through the same, the pannel is thereby affixed to the frame, but the pannels
are not intended to be affixed to the frame until those respective parts of the
saddle shall have been completed, as herein-before mentioned. To the under
side of the pannel plate is to be affixed by a strong rivet, as shewn in the
Drawing, a strap called the fore strap, to act as herein-after mentioned. In
order to make up the pannel plates in the pannel the following plan must be
adopted; (that is to say,) the pannel plates are to have a strip of thin but firm
leather sewed through the holes against the edge of the plate on the under side,
so as to extend an inch within the edge and a quarter of an inch beyond the
edge on the outside, and it is to be sewed with copper or brass binding wire
through the holes made round the edge of the plate. A similar piece of leather
is to be placed in a similar way on the upper side, to correspond with the
leather on the under side and to be sewn to it. These leathers are to guard the
edges of the plate from cutting. There should be a small piece of leather
above the plate extending close to and under the fore strap, which is fastened
to the plate, and a little wider each way than such fore strap, or it may better
be a continuation of the said under leather which is to be so affixed round the
edge of the pannel plate as shewn in the Drawing. This piece of leather is
for supporting the padding of the upper part of the pannel to prevent its
sinking into the hollow parts of the frame close behind the head, and
thereby from its pressure in the pannel keeping off the hardness of the
head from any casual pressure against the horse's withers. The middle
part of the plate, both at the upper and under sides, may be filled up to the.
edges of the leather, and to a level therewith, with any refuse scraps of leather
or woollen cloth pasted on, or the whole upper and under sides respectively may
be covered, and extend out as aforesaid with an entire piece of leather fixed on
by the means aforesaid; the upper side of the plate is to be again covered with
a piece of coarse woollen cloth, and over that a firm basil leather, each to be
slightly pasted on, making a small slit to get at the fore hinge, and another for

page_text: the blade of the hinder hinge to pass through. The under side of the pannel is
to be covered with several thicknesses of woollen cloth (the coarser and looser
wove the better), and over those a single piece of finer woollen cloth, flannel,
or serge, to be next to the horse; these thicknesses of woollen cloth are to
extend above and, in manner shewn in the Drawing, below the plates in the
fore part, so as to be in the whole of the shape and size of the usual pannel of
a saddle, and to be quilted in the part below the plates, in the same manner as
the pannel of an ordinary saddle. At the upper side of the plates the woollen
is to project about a quarter of an inch beyond the end of the leather which
guards the edge of the plate, and in the front and back parts of the pannel,
and at the edge of the part upon which the belly of the saddle is to rest,
enough of the woollen cloth is to be left to form a roll, as herein-after men-
tioned; videlicet, the roll in front is to be made by first putting a row of
stitches down the front of the pannel in the ordinary way, and then rolling
back on the upper side such surplus woollen cloth at the edge of the pannel,
and covering such roll with hogskin or other thin leather to make a proper
facing, the roll at the hinder end of the pannel, and round the lower part of
the belly on each side, being made in a similar manner, but over and upon the
pannel close to the edge, and to be rendered more firm by a roller of wet
paper in the proper form, to be inclosed and suffered to dry within the roll of
woollen, and such roll to be also covered with proper leather as a facing. The
upper edge of the pannel, as also the lowermost part of it, which goes under
the lower part of the flap, is to be bound with thin leather; the pannel is now
to be affixed to the other part of the saddle by slipping the point of the small
side bar into the socket of the fore hinge or fastener in the pannel, and slipping
the blade of the hinder hinge up into the brass socket in the cantle, and
passing the screw through the cantle and such brass socket with such blade
therein; the strap affixed to the pannel is to be passed over the main bar
immediately over the stirrup bar, and thence under such stirrup bar and over
the small slide bar, and such strap is for the fore girth, and by girthing the
same is intended to draw up and bind the pannel at the fore part thereof
against the main bar; there is to be a small strap from the upper part of the
front of the pannel to pass through a small slit in the fore piece round the
bar of the head, and to fasten to a small buckle fixed under the skirt, just
above the stirrup bar, the use of which small strap is to make the upper part
of the front of the pannel lie close to the inside of the gullet.
Now whereas I have herein-before described the mode of completely making
and fitting up a saddle on my said improved construction; and whereas I have
been obliged to do so for the purpose of giving the full benefit of my Invention to

page_text: the public according to law, because the peculiar shape of my said saddle frame or
saddle tree, and from its being made of metal, the ordinary modes of fitting up
and completing the saddle are not applicable to it; but whereas I only claim
as my Invention a saddle frame or saddle tree made of steel or iron in manner
herein-before described, and also a pannel made and fixed to the saddle herein-
before described in manner herein-before set forth, or made and applied by any
suitable means to an ordinary saddle; and such saddle frame or saddle tree as
aforesaid, and also such pannel as aforesaid, being to the best of my knowledge
and belief entirely new, and never before used in that part of His said Majesty's.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, His said
Majesty's Dominion of Wales, nor Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, nor in any
of His said Majesty's Colonies nor Plantations abroad, I do hereby declare-
this to be my Specification of my said Invention, and that I do verily believe.
this my said Specification doth comply in all respects fully, and without reserve
or disguise, with the proviso in the said herein-before in part recited Letters.
Patent contained; wherefore I hereby claim to maintain exclusive right and
privilege to my said Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Tompson, hath hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of December, in the sixth
year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Fourth, by the
grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
King, Defender of the Faith, and in the year of our Lord One-
thousand eight hundred and twenty-five.
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