i have a Wolfgang solo out on trial right now, and can’t tell if it’s a signature model or custom model. Unfortunately any serial numbers are completely worn off. It has grippy textured leather on the flaps but the seat is pretty smooth, and I have a hard time telling the difference between the panels for both models. Any suggestions? Its a nice saddle, but I definitely want the custom version and am irked by the fact that the serial number and any stamps have worn off. The only thing it has is the Wolfgang solo stamp on the inside. Thanks for any help!!
FWIW, I have the custom model that I bought from the rep herself, so I know it is legitmate. I just went and looked at mine and the left sweat flap is recessed stamped - not printed. It only has the serial number, date of manufacture, seat size and flap length. In addition, there is a plate that says wolfgang under the small flap over the stirrup bars on each side and the exposed nailheads are engraved custom saddlery. Nothing that says Solo on it anywhere I can see, but I did not flip it all the way over, and it just occurred to me that it may be stamped Solo on the underside of the sweat flap - but I’m not going to go check this instant - I’ll update if it does. Mine has the buffalo flaps, but the seat is smooth. Mine is 5 years old, ridden in twice a day and nothing has worn off under the flaps at all.
Even within the same model the amount of visible texture on the flap can vary a bit depending on the actual individual piece of leather it was cut from.
I’d wager a guess that it is not the custom version - maybe someone with the signature model can chime in with a description for you.
ETA: I did check on the Wolfgang Solo stamp - it is on the underside of the sweat flap on both sides of the saddle. Again - it is recessed stamped - so it would have to be VERY worn to have that affected in the least. Mine is well-cared for, but also used very regularly.
I believe the signature models are also stamped with the tree width along with seat size and flap length, since they aren’t adjustable.
I’d be really worried that a saddle with all the numbers completely rubbed off had been stolen at some point. Usually even pretty old saddles you can see where the numbers were, even if they aren’t terribly legible.
I have and had both. Do you have a picture of the saddle? from the side? I may be able to tell just by looking at it.
And here is the photo from the ad
I believe it looks like it is not an OTR. One of the things that stand out is the stirrup leather keeper, the OTR’s are slits and the customs are leather (usually but they did change that one year I believe). Although the saddle looks older, the leather still looks like it was the better quality leather. One other thing that I can’t see in the picture is the OTR saddles have this odd sort of random stitching (that does nothing in sort of a triangle) on the flap on the bottom back corner, which this saddle doesn’t look like it has. Hope that helps. Sometimes taking a picture of the area of the serial number you can adjust with your phone which may help you see better.
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Best way to tell - flip it over and look at under the pommel. The tree for the custom is smooth under the pommel and the signature has sort of a bump under there (I wish I had pictures… but I can say that that’s how we tell the difference between saddles when we’re at shows without having to take off a cover)
Not really. I was looking at my saddle tonight thinking of how to describe it. If you reach under the pommel as if to pull it from a rack, is there a flap there or not? My guess from your photo is that its not the Signature bc that flap hangs a little lower than the front pommel seam.
From that view it definitely looks like a custom version!
Thank you so much!!
