16″ Olsen-Stelzer Custom Roping Saddle

This saddle is a literal piece of history. While you may not recognize Olsen Stelzer as a saddle maker, you probably do as a boot maker. In fact, they have been one of the most sought after American made boots. Presidents Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower, actors John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and even members of the Norwegian royal family were long time customers of Olsen-Stelzer Boots. Its been decades since they’ve made saddles, and while incredible saddle makers, they didn’t build many. It’s incredibly rare to see one on the used market, with the last couple selling at auction for mid 4 figures. While a piece of history, and while pretty–it’s build like a tank. Offers a true 16″ tree with a raised twist and very deep seat bed–and look at that fancy boot stitched seat! On what appears to be on Semi QH bars that measures 6″ with moderate shoulder flare and a more “A” framed tree shaped with moderate rock to the bars. This saddle is a great option for an athletic built appendix QH type horse. When we say it’s built like a tank, we mean it. This saddle is heavy duty. On a bull hide wrapped tree, has reinforced horn and rigging, this saddle was built to hold up. While the horn is reinforced, its what’s often called a ‘shortly’ which is a shorter horn that is thicker with an angled cap. We haven’t been able to date this saddle, but given the style and the Diablo alpaca conchos, we are guessing this one is from the early to mid 1980s, but you’d never guess with the condition it’s in. The leather is incredibly soft and hasn’t been roped off of. It was purchased hardly used about 30 years ago, ridden in a few times, and has spent all that 30 years as a pretty man cave decor item. Which means, its been stored perfectly. Hand tooled in classic acorn and oak leave tooling, real shearling (wool) underside, and has the original conchos and strings. Does have a few spots of discoloration from time and age, but the condition of the leather is incredible given how old this saddle likely is. This tank weighs all of 40 lbs, so not lightweight, but it’s designed for real work. These saddles are rarely available on the used marked, and even more rare outside of an auction house. This is one to see, and grab while you can!

Measurements:

• Seat: 16″
• Tree/Gullet: Semi QH Bars, 6″
• Horn: 3″ x 3″
• Cantle: 3″
• Skirt: 28″
• Thigh Space: 11″
• Weight: 40lbs
• Serial Number: 988