Looking for hard seat saddle

[RG]

I'm looking for a hard seat, no suede or foam, western saddle, 16 to 16 1/2 inches, with a rawhide tree.  It will be a using saddle, not for show, and will be out in the weather so I don't want it to soak up water.  For some reason the seat seems to have shrunk on the one I've been riding the past 25 years.  Old saddles are fine as long as the leather is in good shape.  I have a budget of around $400 but also have a 1980's long shaft Honda 10hp outboard that runs well I would be willing to trade.

[RG]

I found a Duncan and Sons "Hunter" model.  It seems like it's around 50 or 60 years old.  The maker was in Seattle for 109 years before they went out of business.  I've never heard of them but, after an hour riding it, I like this saddle.  It's got a bullhide covered tree and looks to be built pretty strong.  I think it's going to work.  My George Lawrence is going to be put on a top rack for the time being even though I've had it almost 30 years and put multiple hundreds of miles on it in a lot of states and one Canadian province.  I wonder why the seat shrunk on it...... 

[smalldog]

Look for a Fred Hock saddle. They are great saddles and stand a lot of use. If you look hard Im sure you can find one in your price range or a few hundred more.  Good luck.

[RG]

I'm familiar with Fred Hook and they make a great saddle.  I bought the Duncan and Sons in the photo above, it's a great saddle too.  I'd never heard of them but they are hand made and very tough.  I've looked at Hamleys and a lot of the really top line older saddles and like this Duncan pretty much as well.  Thanks for the input though.

[Hawgdawg]

I'm looking for a hard seat, no suede or foam, western saddle, 16 to 16 1/2 inches, with a rawhide tree.  It will be a using saddle, not for show, and will be out in the weather so I don't want it to soak up water.  For some reason the seat seems to have shrunk on the one I've been riding the past 25 years.  Old saddles are fine as long as the leather is in good shape.  I have a budget of around $400 but also have a 1980's long shaft Honda 10hp outboard that runs well I would be willing to trade.

check out my add in the classifieds. saddle, chaps and scabbord for sale.