APPRAISER: It's actually a classic early California-style saddle. This was the type of saddle that the Spanish Californians were using from the 1830s right up to when this country took it over. It has a maker's mark, and it's very hard to decipher, but I was able to get "San Francisco" and "makers." Stylistically, this is a Mexican-style saddle. Main and Winchester was probably the only early California saddle maker at this period. This is an 1850s saddle. Before that, they wouldn't have been marked with a maker's mark. In this condition, unrestored, I think at auction, it would probably bring about $5,000.
GUEST: Really?
APPRAISER: But I think if you fixed it up...
GUEST: Wow.
APPRAISER: And it wouldn't take much doing-- get the paint off of it, there's a little separation of the rawhide cantle-- restored, a $10,000 saddle.
GUEST: Really?
APPRAISER: Mm-hmm.
GUEST: Wow.