THE GILLIAM LINE.
The [Gilliam saddles] for 1898 present a wide variety of styles and shapes, sufficient to meet the demands of every kind of rider.
Their No. 76 is a road or racing saddle, made with a light steel base as foundation, over which is glued thick all-wool felt, the whole being covered top and bottom with the best quality leather. Their No. 76 is a woman’s saddle made on the same lines. They furnish both these saddles with cantle raised somewhat giving more dip or curve to the seat.
The Gilliam Hygienic laced saddle has a truss spring bolted to a hickory cantle (bent by special process), over which is stretched a stripped single piece rawhide frame as shown in cut. By folding and stitching the rawhide in front they obtain the same amount of strength in material as in the rear or broader portion. This at the same time gives a narrower pommel. The top or cover of their Nos. 70 and 75 saddles is made of boarded pebble leather, and being lined with all-wool felt, makes a firm and pliable cushion over the frame. The front end of the soft top covering is not fastened to the frame, as is some times seen in this style of saddle. The advantage in not attaching the top to the frame proper is that it assumes the shape of the rider without stretching or wearing the top.
The Gilliam Company also make a padded saddle, which has a continuous laminated open frame, and which is covered with rawhide drawn tightly over it, thus making a pliable base upon which are built pads of all-wool felt. This pliable base prevents the pads from matting and getting out of shape, and from the nature of the construction the weight of the rider is made to force the pads toward the centre instead of toward the sides. They furnish it with either coiled or truss springs.
THE BROWN TYPE.
One of the most popular saddles of the day is that known as the [Brown]. The base is of three pieces of wood firmly joined together. After being thoroughly sized with glue, this is covered with a strong linen and waterproofed with two coats of lead paint. Over this is stretched a cover of oak-tanned saddle leather, which is hand-sewed and finely finished. It is built upon absolutely correct anatomical lines and never loses its shape. It is strong, light and very handsome and finished in black or russet. It is entirely a hand-made saddle and made by skilled workmen. The design of the Brown saddle is one of perfect curves in all its parts.
Variations in this type consist in furnishing them with either flat or wire spring and also with an easy coil spring in the rear. The saddle tops are also furnished in broader pattern and with wool felt between the lining, making a soft easy seat for road riding. The type is also produced in juvenile models and models for ladies’ use, and a broad, heavy padded one, which they call their “fat man’s” saddle.