A Rough Guide to the
FRENCH
Hunting for a used French saddle
that fits can be a daunting task.
Understanding the ‘stamp’ on
a saddle can simplify this effort
enormously.
Wrien and Photos Provided By
DINA MAZZOLA
All French saddles have a stamp which functions much like a VIN number
in a car. It is a unique identifier that provides the owner with information about
the saddle. It is usually found on the inside of the sweat flap, but some saddlers
stamp the underside of the sweat flap. The stamp tells you the model,
seat size, flap length and style, year of manufacture, unique serial number, tree
and paneling configuration. Some also will indicate seat style or depth, and
block size. However, the fun part is that each manufacturer is unique in their
nomenclature.
First let’s look at the serial number. In all saddles there is a 2 digit number
either preceding or following a longer series of digits. This is the last 2 numbers
in the year of manufacture and saddle number. For example, in a CWD
the serial number starts with the year while in Voltaire it ends with the year.
In the first picture, a CWD stamp, the serial number is on the bottom line.
This is the 52,441 saddle made in 2017. On the first line, as with most saddles,
we find information about the model, seat size, and flap. This is a SE02 model,
with a 17.5” seat and a 3C flap.
In the second picture, a Voltaire stamp, on the second line we see that
this is the 1,181 saddle made in 2014. The first line tells us this a Palm Beach
model, while the third line tells us this is a 17” seat with a 2A flap.
Now let’s look at seat configuration stamping in more detail. The seat measurement
indicates the length of the saddle from the ‘button’ on the saddle skirt
to the center of the cantle. The model tells you the seat depth and shape. The
model is important because not all saddles of a particular brand feel the same.
A shallower 17” will feel roomier than a deeper seated 17”. Most manufacturers
have very good information on the various saddle models on their websites.
So if you tell your used saddle expert that you are looking for a CWD, or
Antares, because you rode in your friend’s saddle and ‘loved it’, be prepared to
tell them which one!
Flap configuration is generally composed of a number, and a letter or fraction.
For example, looking at pictures one and two, the 3 on the CWD and the
2 on the Voltaire, tell you the length of the flap, while the lettering indicates the
shape (or width)bof the flap. In a CWD flaps are commonly L or C, with the C
shape being wider and rounder (considered the CWD forward flap). In Voltaire,
Antares, and Devoucoux, a lettering system is used with N being normal, A
being somewhat forward, AA more forward and so on. Butet uses a decimal
numbering system or a fraction (depending on the year) to indicate forwardness,
with .25 being somewhat forward, .5 medium, and .75 extra forward.
1: CWD SEO2 17.5” 3C serial number 17 52441
2: Voltaire Palm Beach 17” 2A
serial number 1181 14 3: Antares Contact 17.5” 3N
serial number 12 2491
on the front panels to allow room for the scapula to rotate back (RT). You will
frequently see a series of numbers after PA such as 705 305 205. The first
digit in each group of numbers refers to the area of the paneling on the saddle,
and the second two digits refer to how much additional thickness has been
added to that area, in millimeters. If we look at the Voltaire stamp, the fourth
and fifth lines tell us the paneling. In this case it is PRO panels with extra thickness
in the B and D areas. Looking at the Antares stamp, the tree and paneling
information is stamped on the billet guard. It is a T1 tree with M20 panels. If
thickness had been added or taken away, it would be indicated by an RAR or
RAG followed by a number and plus or minus. Seems complicated? It can
be! Just remember, the higher the numbers, the more thickness that has been
added or taken away in different areas ,and therefore the saddle has been
made with a more customized fit. Also remember, 5 or 10 mm is not much
more than a half pad.
The best way to shop for a fine used French saddle that fits? Ride in as
many as possible, take pictures of the stamps and then talk with your used
saddle retailer who will help you match the features as closely as possible. If
you don’t have access to some saddles you can borrow to try, and are looking
to upgrade, ask for a recommendation. Be prepared to with your height, body
proportions, and breeches size to assess size and flap for you, and some pictures
Getting the right flap for you means you will be better balanced in the saddle
and can get your leg on your horse in the right spot.
The third picture is an example of an Antares stamp. On the first line we
see it is the Antares Contact model. Below we see the serial number. It is the
2,491 saddle made in 2012. The third line tells us the flap, a longer (3), normal
(N) shaped flap. The fourth line tells us the seat size, a 17.5”, and the seat
width, L. Antares has 3 seat widths with E being narrow, L and XL begin the
widest.
Now we’ve sorted out the seat and flap sizing, model, and age, we come to
the fun part! Will it fit my horse? All the manufactures put information about
the paneling on their stamp. Some put information about the tree, however
most French saddles are made on medium wide trees and they don’t bother to
stamp the tree unless it is a wide tree, in which case you will see the notation
AO or Arcade Ouverte.
Looking again at the CWD stamp the second line begins with PA. Numbers
and letters following the PA describe the paneling on this particular saddle. In
this case, this saddle has standard panels (ST) with a sculpted out area EE
68 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com TRAINING & Showing
of your horse’s naked back to assess fit for them. Look for a retailer that
offers trials, free shipping and no restocking fee to keep costs down! Finally
don’t be afraid ask questions! Happy saddle shopping!
Saddle Stamp
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