Lost Silver Corner Plate

[Spud_amp_Saf]

I just purchased a beauty of an older Circle Y equitation saddle (single skirt), which has narrow silver corner plates on the rear of the skirt. Unfortunately, one of those plates got damaged and was removed by the prior owner. Due to the age, I’m not entirely sure I can find a replacement plate that matches, but I don’t love the look of the empty holes in the skirt.

I don’t know that much about western tack,or the installation of silver. Would it make the most sense to remove the existing corner plate and add 2 new ones (is this even possible to find ones that would line up to the existing holds for the old ones?), or should I attempt to match what is there or should I just lave the one side missing because anything else would be tacky?

I will not be using the saddle for anything more than pleasure riding, so it doesn’t really matter what it looks like, but it is such a nice piece of tack with gorgeous tooling that I’d at least try to do it some justice in cleaning it up and keeping it looking nice.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[findeight]

You can’t see both at once so maybe just look for something similar that fits the holes. Heck, I’d do that even if I showed. Who would ever know or particularly care? Long as the engraving is close and it’s it’s the same size and shape

Now, if one had gold rope ttrim or raised oak leaf clusters with acorn in gold and the other didn’t , that would get noticed. Flat, Un trimmed or adorned engraving with similar pattern, NBD.

Riding with just the holes on one side would bug me, even just on trails. Plus it will elevate the resale value a bit to replace it.

[Bluey]

Contact any silver engraver, spur and bit makers and such.
They can make you one to match that one.

Try Montana Silversmiths, they may have something that would fit.

Saddlemakers order their silver parts from those engravers, see if they can provide you with some names.

Here are some:

https://thea.com/Conchos-Silver-Cantle-Plate/

https://www.crawfordspursandsaddlery.com/Western-Jewelry.html

[jvanrens]

I would try to find two matching pieces that fit the holes if possible. You should be able to find something close to the original that would work.

[goodhors]

I agree with removing the single corner plate and getting two replacements that match each other to use on the saddle. I would not want to go out on a half-trimmed saddle. Presents an “I don’t care” appearance anywhere I would go. Holes may match the old plate holes or not. New plates should cover the old holes, no one will see holes without a close inspection of your saddle.

I would have my local tack repair person put the new plates on because they are experienced at doing this. My plates will be evenly spaced on the skirt, on both sides. They will have punches that will go thru that HEAVY skirt leather, making clean holes to put the screws thru. The job will look professional when they finish.

I want my horse dressed well, not wearing mismatched pieces and parts, a saddle with parts missing. Doesn’t have to be really flashy or expensive tack. Just that it fits her well, everything is fairly clean, cared for. Blanket shows evenly around the saddle edges, reins match, bridle is not visibly repaired, bit is clean, horse is well groomed. This is how I was taught to look going out for any ride, at home or out in public.

Congratulations on your new saddle! I hope it sits as well as it will look.

[findeight]

Try calling Broken Horn out in Baldwin Park ( LA.).huge saddlery making all sorts of types of Western saddles, headstalls and reins and they do all their own silver work. They might be able to help you. You don’t have to go with the purest sterling either. The more it’s alloyed, the more reasonable the price and its hard to tell the difference unless you really know, it all looks pretty and sparkles.

[sahqueen]

Contact Circle Y and see if they can help you out…https://circley.com/ They probably won’t have a replacement for that missing one, but might be able to come up with a pair that matches up with that holes already there. I’ve had them make up custom sized crown pieces for show halters, they were done quick and at a very reasonable cost.

[Foxglove]

Since you don’t use the saddle for showing, wonder if a similar sized plate engraved with your contact information would be both aesthetically pleasing and useful should you and horse become separated at any point. All our saddles have name plates on them some place —now-a-days, I’d put contact information on them too.

[Spud_amp_Saf]

@sahqueen

Contact Circle Y and see if they can help you out…https://circley.com/ They probably won’t have a replacement for that missing one, but might be able to come up with a pair that matches up with that holes already there. I’ve had them make up custom sized crown pieces for show halters, they were done quick and at a very reasonable cost.

I actually did try this first. They were of no assistance whatsoever, and directed me to a dealer instead. There is one dealer that is somewhat local to me but they are a jack of all trades family type shop who just sell off the rack models, and I’m not sure how they would get any further with the company than I did. I’m concerned the problem is that there isn’t really a Circle Y company anymore, it appears as though it is now just a name bought by another company that seems to be using several saddle brand names.

Thank-you for the silver smith suggestions, I did consider that as an idea. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if that is the most affordable way for me to go as I am in Ontario, and the cost of shipping any sort of not junk looking silver trim I’ve found with the exchange is almost half of what I purchased the saddle for to begin with and that is not even for custom work.

I’m sort of leaning towards getting two new corner plates, as I do have an excellent leather worker that is local to me who could definitely install them. In fact, I should possibly check with her if she has a line on somewhere to source this type of work.

[farmergirl]

You could buy some conchos of varying sizes and install those to cover the holes

[Bluey]

I am sure you have some silversmiths in Canada also that would be able to help you.

Good idea to ask your local saddle maker about your problem, may even know someone that engraves that could help.

[cayuse]

EBay and Chicks Discount Saddlery sell inexpensive replacement sets. I’m sure they are not nearly as nice as what is original to the saddle, but if you want an cheap fix, they might have something.
I would probably remove the remaining corner plate and put a new one on that side too, just to even things up. Or else I would always feel lopsided!

[Sansena]

I love Etsy…

https://www.etsy.com/listing/653314644/12-piece-silver-trim-kit-for-western?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-pet_supplies-riding_and_farm_animals&utm_custom1=907952dc-3634-46ff-8dc9-8367060b7b71&utm_content=bing_352012693_1299622893531396_81226457258652_pla-4584826051169419:aud-805670566:pla-4584826051169419_c__653314644&msclkid=7119b7665437159defd3ea35407fac8c

[macmtn]

Can you post a picture of the remaining corner?