Featured in this lot is this Main & Winchester Co. saddle circa 1870-1880's. Main & Winchester Co. saddles are highly sought after established in 1849 during the California Gold Rush, Main & Winchester Saddlery became the first saddlery of any size of saddles on the whole Pacific Coast; West Coast.Charles Main, a partner in the Boston carriage and harness firm Main and Mayo, sailed from Boston February 4, 1859 and arrived in San Francisco on July 5, 1859. Main tried his hand at placer mining on the South Yuba for several months before returning to San Francisco where he met Ezra Winchester, who had arrived in San Francisco in July 1850. That year, Charles Main & E.H. Winchester founded the legendary firm of Main & Winchester with their sights set on selling the highest quality horse tacking to clientele who would benefit from the California Gold Rush as well as the prosperous surroundings of San Francisco. M & W was the first saddle shop of any significance on the West Coast and Charles & Ezra were able to profit immediately with the contract for Russell & Major's Pony Express Line in 1860. The saddle features a wonderfully and professionally crafted high back saddle that features an A-Fork tree with slick swells and really fine tooling to the leather of the saddle . The saddle features metal monel stirrups and a square skirt that features a solid well preserved fleece on the underside of the skirt. The Main & Winchester Co. makers mark can be seen on bother sides of the fenders on the saddle. From the estate collection of Lloyd Kent and Phyllis DeVore passed owners of the historic DeVore’s Saddlery Helena, Montana.This saddle was showcased in The DeVore Saddlery shop, and was there until the closing of death of Lloyd Kent DeVore’s. Helena Saddlery of Helena, MONT. Was founded in 1890 and was the predecessor to DeVore Saddlery. Upon Lloyd Kent DeVore’s (also referred to as L. Kent) college graduation he purchased his father Lloyd’s business, the Helena Saddlery and Tent on Lawrence Street, and renamed it DeVore’s Saddlery in circa 1950. Kent learned his craft from some local greats such as Jack Miller and George Hargrave who also worked for DeVore’s. Both L. Kent and his bride Phyllis have since passed away and these pieces are being offered by the family estate. The condition of this saddle is good with some slight wear to the leather due to the age of the saddle but otherwise shows good overall condition. The overall measurements of this saddle are 28" x 25" x 15" and the seat size is 14 1/4".