I have come across a stubben Siegfried saddle, but it does not have any markings and I can’t get a response from stubben. It has very supple leather, suede knee rolls that have been oiled down, plain silver buttons other than two of the side that say Jon something on them. Does anyone have any idea how old? I also can’t seem to find a size, gullet measures six inches
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Does the saddle still have the billet guards/flaps? Sometimes it is embossed on those. However, if they are replaced or missing, then that won’t help.
Also look for engraving on stirrup bars, the underneath side of the small flaps covering the stirrup bars, and behind the stirrup bars on both sides of the saddle.
Good luck!
all it has stamped on it is Siegfried made in Germany 19702
I have no idea if tat is a model number or a date code or what. But I’d photograph it and the saddle, and email it to Stubben and see if you get a response. Or better yet, take the saddle to a show where they have a booth or a saddle rep - somebody there might be able to help.
Yes, I’d contact Stubben with pics and the serial number. You may get a helpful response. Sometimes people have been told that Stubben’s records “don’t go back that far,” or something. I am not sure Stubben NA even provides that service anymore. You may have to email Stubben in Germany.
As a longtime Stubben owner, I’ll tell you what I do know. The silver buttons that you have identified are a clue to its age. I don’t remember if the plain ones mean the saddle is older or newer than the ones with the logo buttons. Sorry. :winkgrin:
Most of those older Stubbens were made in Germany, but some were made in Switzerland, and others in Ireland. I believe the Irish factory has been long closed, so if the Saddle was made in Ireland, that is a good clue. You can find out which factory made the saddle by looking at the maker plate up underneath the skirt. The German ones say “Johs. Stubben Krefeld.” The others will say “Stubben Ireland” or “Stubben Switzerland.” The plates for each factory look quite different.
I have two old Siegfrieds at present. One was made is the German factory and has buttons with logos. It’s a beautiful saddle still. It has smooth leather underneath the billets. The other was made in Switzerland with plain silver buttons. It’s the same size as the other but is not quite as nice. The leather under the billets has some sort of pebble grain, and the stitching isn’t as tight or well done. These old Stubbens have quite a lot of individuality.
You can consult this link https://animals.mom.me/out-type-saddle-3595.html to know. Because there is no picture here so you can click to that link and guess the approximate age. street view
This post doesn’t really make sense and it’s a wierd link. Spam? Brand new poster.
German made, silver buttons, and suede knee rolls is probably 1970s era.
Everyone always says to email, but I once sent Stubben the serial number from a much newer saddle (probably 90s) and they said their records didn’t go back that far. :lol:
I believe I’ve heard that the silver nailheads are pre-1985 and that they discontinued the suede knee rolls in 1994.
So, chances are, it’s at least 35 years old, probably older. Stübben’s original heyday (especially the Siegfried) was in the '60s and '70s, I believe, and many of those are still around and in use. It’s most likely from around the 1970s.
It seems that there aren’t good records for these wonderful old gems (saddles) pre-computer age…