Strange creek walking find. Studded leather and old!

[MrMarsHill]

It has rained 2 days straight and today was nice as can be. I had to get out and get on the banks of my favorite creek to see what's washed up and washed out. Sadly, the water was still to high to really check, hopefully tomorrow. Either way, along the banks in a section that had washed out I could see the stitching of this leather and I pulled it out of the dirt. I noticed the odd shape and the studs and iron piece or something rusted on. It is definitely old, other than that I know nothing. Ive shown the connections of the studs in the back etc. I know it's hard to Id rivets and the like because I personally use the same type of things used 100 years ago now in my custom work. But these are unique, as is the entire piece in my opinion. Any help identifying what this may have been? The area was native American from the beginning of history and has had white inhabitants from the 1700s right up to today. Also a civil war winter camp in 1863. This is a cool piece either way, it will drive me crazy thinking what it was. Holster? Horse tack? Clothing? Any guess is welcome! Hopefully the water level drops and I can find some more NA pottery fragments and finally find my winter Civil war camp creek access! I know both are there, just a matter of finding them. Thanks for the support as always and happy, safe hunting to you all!

 

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[botics]

Part of a horse saddle?

 

[djackson7348]

The rivets don't appear to be anything other than decorative so I would guess it was off a saddle or harness. But then, I have been known to be wrong...

 

[botics]

Same here sometimes hard to find out what it is we found.

 

[old digger]

Your item looks similar to the old horse bridle blinders.

 

[MrMarsHill]

Yeah I was hoping the unique shape and the design of the stitching might tell someone something. My feeling was this came from a horse in some way, but I'm basically always guessing lol. The "fringed" looking edge is interesting to me as well. The studs are definitely all only decorative, and somebody went all out Haha! I've found old leather and rivets... but nothing so embellished. I've studded a few knife sheaths this way myself even in recent years. Thanks for all the replies and I will be looking into old horse blinders. See if the stitching and shape match up etc. Keep the guesses coming if you have any more!

 

[MrMarsHill]

Definitely looks similar. The part that would actually sit next to the eyes. I'd like to see a close up of a real set with the stitching and all...

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Diggin' History]

Could it be a piece from a Cow Puncher's Saddle or even a Parade Saddle. Both of them used quite a few rivets. Leaning more toward a Parade Saddle due to the possible era and location.

Cow Puncher Saddle:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8a/7b/0a/8a7b0aa29083ac49a80349a697e68f40.jpg

Parade Saddle:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c1/d7/9c/c1d79ceb7e03d31125b0b87e552f22e3.jpg

-DH-

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Interesting piece, nice job!

 

[MrMarsHill]

That parade saddle was beautiful! I'm starting to be sure this atleast came off a horse. I still feel like somebody is going to see the stitching and shape and KNOW exactly what it is... but that may be hoping for more than I should Haha. Thanks again guys and feel free to add your 2cents anytime! Happy, safe hunting to all!

 

[Diggin' History]

This looks very close (without the rivets):

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/53/88/a3/5388a3dd7c427f292251ca56174317f3--horse-bridle-soft-leather.jpg

Still looking.
-DH-

 

[MrMarsHill]

That does look very similar DH! I wish it had the US... or CS, rosettes etc. I was thinking, on such a fancy blinder(if this is what I have) there should be a fancy rosette near by wouldnt you think? I just eyeballed this in a washed out bank, no MD... I need to take the detector out there and see what metal might be left!

 

[Diggin' History]

That does look very similar DH! I wish it had the US... or CS, rosettes etc. I was thinking, on such a fancy blinder(if this is what I have) there should be a fancy rosette near by wouldnt you think? I just eyeballed this in a washed out bank, no MD... I need to take the detector out there and see what metal might be left!

I may be wrong but, what I'm thinking is that you have part of a Parade Blinder. The age of it is the million dollar question. Leather does hold up well to the elements, so for us "regular" people, it would be hard to guess the age. My uncle has a bridal and saddle that was made in 1920 and they look almost brand new - they were passed down to him and he has taken very good care of them from day one.

As far as finding any other part(s) to your piece, I believe it would be near impossible due to where you found it and the fact that the current would take lighter pieces further down the creek. I think I would start up creek as far as you deem necessary (since I'm not there to observe the land layout I could only fathom a guess on where to start) and use a metal detector while walking down the creek. Who knows, you might get lucky.

I'm sure there was a leather strap of some sort attached where I've circled in Blue which is what is leading me to believe it's a Blinder. Also, as you can see from the "Stud", for lack of an accurate identification, in this and the picture of the back of this piece, it looks like there were top and bottom pieces of leather attached there.


Good Luck and here's hoping you find more pieces.

Cheers.
-DH-

P.S. I'm still researching this when I have a few minutes to browse around.

 

[MrMarsHill]

Thanks DH! You're getting further than I am in research it seems. I just get more confused on this one as I go along, lol. I am sure you are correct. This piece matches plenty I have seen online and it's obviously something along these lines. I believe the " parade blinder" would be a fantastic ID. I've been back to the site with no luck on horse tack sadly. Normally I'd agree and say this must have washed away. But this was found just barely poking out of a freshly washed out section of bank. I believe it was actually buried near the creek, not having been washed down as most stuff on the banks. But, it could easily be been the only piece that DIDNT wash out, or maybe the only piece that was ever there. The site has more promise than most others in my area, and if anything the sheer amount of trash should show the possibility of finds beneath. I'm not afraid to dig nails, soda tabs, cans, all of it... if it means pulling out that one relic that makes it all worth it. Luckily I'm easy to please anyway haha! And I have gotten my NA pottery, diamond ring and lots of other cool stuff out of here, no complaints from me lol! I will be sure to update if I find more, or if I get some other idea of what it is... though I think this baby is solved! Thanks for all the support everybody and I look forward to any more info DH!