So, I purchased my dream saddle on Saturday afternoon! Total fluke - buy of the century - a Hermes Steinkraus for $100! Has a rip/crack in the leather on the underside and one billet is half missing - otherwise, it’s perfect. How do I trace the serial number? (Just curious as to when my saddle was made.) Still pinching myself!! 
Call Marion 212-835-6403 she will make the right calls and tell you what you have.
Marion has kept me from buying a counterfit (H) more than once.
Courtney at 212 751 3181 is another name and number for Hermes saddle research.
Thanks
I will do that. It looks authentic to me - has all the appropriate markings, etc - but, it will be nice to know for sure.
That number will give you the tree size, date made, and I’ve heard Hermes used to have a sweet lifetime repair/rebuild on their saddles. Maybe you could ask about that and post the answer
The rumor was if you send them a damaged saddle they would totally rebuild it if the saddle required. it- Too good to be true but I would like to know the answer anyhow.
I have put a call into Marion and will let you know what she says.
Could you get their email also and forward it to me. There is a possible Hermes that I may be interested in if it is a true (H). I will need to send them a link.
In NY, they’re happy to rebuild…for $$$$$$. I was quoted $1100 to reflock my old Steinkraus with latex, etc. and cover with new leather.
I heard back from Hermes
it’s authentic!! Delv to NYC on 11/25/1988 - Steinkraus model, rest of desc matches. Asked about the warranty/repairs - not a lifetime warranty - one urban legend dispelled.
Would love to get a cover and asked about pricing - $140 - Holy Toledo - that’s a lot of money for a plain old saddle cover sporting the Hermes name. Decided I didn’t need it that bad. Could use new billet guards, but wasn’t going to go there after hearing what a cover would cost!!
I’ll have the crack patched - I’ve heard good things about Saddler’s Row in Palatine IL . . .
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I want to see a picture!
Never sat in one…whats it like??? :winkgrin:
You can send the saddle back to Paris for repairs. I don’t know the cost. They keep a record of each saddle in a book and it tells which craftsmen made it.
I bought a used one from a nice woman out of a Chronicle ad years ago and she had sent the saddle to France to have the blocks added. I didn’t ask her if she had to pay for them, but I guess she did since it wasn’t a repair.
Great price on the saddle, btw.
sneederstb - What’s 
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candc: I’d hate to send it to Paris for repairs - I’d be so worried it would get lost or damaged, not to mention how long I’d be without it!
wow-where did you find it?
[QUOTE=ShowMeTheGlory;3893503]
wow-where did you find it?[/QUOTE]
A tack consignment store in Barrington IL. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they had called me earlier this week to say they’d made a mistake on the price! Too late now!!!
Congrats on price!!. I have an old H Steinkraus and I would love to get details from it’s number.(16897) . Who is this nice Courtney lady with info? I hesitate to just call her.
Tx
Awesome purchase!! Congratulations! I’m jealous, and yes, I love to buy saddles like this too. Not that I have found one as fancy as this one, but if I did, I would be right pleased.
My friend had one for sale, for $600. But it was an 18 inch, and I am small. But I encouraged a friend of mine who had never heard of a “Hermes”, with long legs, to snap it up… she was concerned that it might not fit her horse. I told her, “buy another horse”.
I don’t suppose this mystery woman is still available to authenticate? I just got one and my life is forever changed by this magic saddle that is actually built for my gumby-like proportions. It has literally made me a better rider. Also where did you find the cover for that price? It is silly but I would totally pay that lol
For a saddle I adore the way I love my Steinkraus, that seems like a steal…
Hermes has East and West coast equestrian reps who sell and fit saddles. If you have an older saddle that needs adjusting for your horse they will come out and take all the measurements and send the saddle to France. My daughter’s saddle made the trip. It did take months but she was given a loaner. I’m not sure if that is always possible or if we just got lucky. The rep we worked with is no longer with the company.
If you just want the cover you can order one through any Hermes retail store. I know the one near us has a few horse items in it and I did buy a cover for my daughter’s saddle through them as a graduation gift.
