light wet rawhide (hard calfskin) thongs, the seams being confined to 

 the top and upper edges of the side bars so that no ridges are formed 

 on the under bearing surfaces. 



When tliis rawhide dries and shrinks it forms a smooth, hard cover, 

 which prevents the wood from splitting and binds the parts of the tree 

 into a strong, rigid, and serviceable unit that will retain its shape 

 even after the wood itself is considerably decayed. 



The rawhided tree is now covered with russet collar leather weighing 

 6 to 7 ounces per square foot. The seams around the pommel and 

 cantle are reinforced with welts of leather and the seams in center of 

 top covers have light welts; the seams on the edges of side bars are so 

 placed that they will not chafe the horse or rider. The bottoms are 

 lined with sheepskin, having wool ^ inch long, which is sewed to same 

 before attaching to saddle. Four wrought iron saddle nails, 1 J inches 

 long, with heads J-inch in diameter, japanned to color of leather, are 

 placed in the side bars at the points of the pommel and cantle to cover 

 and protect the ends of the seams. 



SADDLE TRIMMINGS. 



Saddle trimmings are made of brass, as it does not rust, is amply 

 strong, and is easily cast and formed into the required shapes. 

 A complete set includes — 



4 l}-incli rings. 



2 foot staples (semicircular), with screws. 



4 foot staples (low), with screws. 



2 foot staples (high), with screws. 



7 ovals, with screw pins. 



1 shield, with screw pins. 



1 saddlebag stud, with rivets. 



Located as follows : 



Two IJ-inch rings of cast brass are on front end of side bars, and 

 two on rear of cantle. 



The semicircular foot staples, made of cast brass, are fastened to the 

 front ends of the side bars \\dth four 1-inch No. 6 brass screws and 

 secure two of the IJ-inch rings. 



The low foot staples are made of cast brass and used for holding the 

 coat straps, two being placed on the front of pommel and two on the 

 rear of cantle. Each is secured with two |-inch No. 6 brass screws. 



The high foot staples, made of cast brass, are used on the rear end of 

 saddle bars for attaching the saddlebags. They are secured to the 

 side bars through the rear quarter strap by two 1-inch No. 6 brass 

 screws. 



The ovals are made from sheet brass 0.028 inch tliick and are placed 

 around the slots for coat straps as follows: One on front of pommel, 



