How much is an antique western Spanish saddle worth?

Question

My mom owns a really old western saddle that she is looking to sell. It's a Spanish western saddle with the bridle and breast collar to match it. The reins are so old they don't bend anymore! We polished it up about a month ago, and its gorgeous. My mother and I have never seen one like this before. We don't want to take it to just any old antique appraiser fearing that he won't give us the true value. I have pictures of it if anyone would like to see it and tell me how much we could possibly get for it or if anyone wants to buy it. E-mail me at [e-mail]. We are mainly trying to get different opinions on what we should do or how much we could sell it for. Thank you to anyone who could help us! =]

Answer 1

it sounds awsome!! im not sure how much it would cost but it sounds expensive lol. try mink oil on the bridle and reins to soften them up a little though.

Answer 2

Try checking ebay/craigslist/classified ads for anything similar. You can take it to a local tack/consignment shop and see what they think, or better yet go to a professional appraiser who specializes in tack. You can find them in the yellow pages etc. I've taken a saddle to be appraised, but it was just a riding saddle, not an antique.

Be prepared, it might be beautiful and special to you and have more value, but to someone else they are only paying what they think its worth, and that might not reflect it's true value to you if it is sentimental.  

Answer 3

first you need to find out who made the saddle,after that you need to find out the approximate age and condition,whether it is usable or art.is it a working saddle or a show saddle,type of stirrups and if it is a Spanish saddle it will have trapaderos but that doesn't always mean it is a vaquero saddle.the difference between a Spanish saddle and a vaquero saddle are a Spanish saddle has a cantle board and looks like a mixture between an English saddle and a western saddle,a vaquero saddle looks just like a western saddle except it has a larger horn and trapaderos,without seeing a picture i cant tell you what it is,there are several saddle appraisers on the net that you can send pictures to but most wont give you a complete appraisal unless they see it in person.