The Australian Stock Saddle
and the Saddlers that made them
TIMOTHY CARR 1865 - 1947
Tim Carr, saddler, arrived from England in Australia, aged 11, in the year 1876. His brother John Carr established a saddlery in Cairns in 1885 and five years later decided to set up a partnership saddlery under the name of Carr Bros. in Charters Towers. This shop was established in Gill Street with Tim as manager/saddler and continued to flourish until it was wound up on Tim’s retirement. History shows that the partnership dissolved in 1893 and it was reported that John Carr recommenced in Charters Towers two years later. In 1899 the Cairns press advised that Mr John Carr had returned to re-commence a saddlery business once again in that town. Tim Carr never moved from Charters Towers and was a well known and respected saddler trading under the name of Carr Bros. from the inception of the business back in 1890.
The Northern Miner ran a small article in February 1890 stating: MESSRS. Carr Brothers, saddlers, of Cairns, have opened a branch in Charters Towers. The premises they have taken being next to Earl's White Horse Hotel, Gill-street. They have an excellent stock of saddlery, harness, and horse furniture of every description, and promise to sell at very moderate rates, as they get their goods straight from England. They also make to order saddles of every description, as well as other gear, whether for town or country use, and as the present good season will undoubtedly create a demand for droving outfits, they have started just at a time when they are likely to do good business.
The true facts of the business dealings may never be known. It is also not known how many saddlers Tim Carr had working for him in his business, though an old timer had named three gentlemen in the shop in the "early days" (date unknown). They were Paddy Silva, Frank Reid and Jim Raleigh.
Carr Bros. advert posted in 1893
The North Queensland Register ran an advertisement in December 1892
MESSRS. CARR BROS ESTABLISHMENT, GILL STREET.
MESSRS Carr BROS, who hold a very large stock of all descriptions of saddlery and harness are a well-known North Queensland firm. For seven years they did a good business in Cairns, and for the last three years they have been established on Charters Towers. They manufacture a great deal, but require considerable shipments in lines which cannot be made locally. They have just added to their stock a big consignment for Christmas.
The saddles turned out by Messrs. Carr Brothers have won prizes at every show at which they competed, in buckjumping, somersets, half somersets, and every kind of style. The durability of their goods is generally recognised, and they are turned out at prices that cannot be bettered in the north. The wants of racehorse owners are catered for by Messrs. Carr Brothers, who have now in specially selected stock of light saddles and other paraphernalia for their purpose.
1895 Advertisement of the Cairn's Carr Bros store above, and a photo of the Charters Towers store below
Both businesses advertised importing English goods to supply demand, plus making their own saddles, however over the decades the only imports Tim used were the English trees and, upon arrival, he trimmed them down to allow very close contact. Trimming the tree did result in quite a number of trees broken, due to the rigours of the type of work the saddle was put through. People were aware of this fault, but it was far outweighed by the ride to be had, by being so close to the horse. It was said a lot of his saddles (with broken trees) ended up at the local pony club, to be used by the kids who could not afford to ride in one.
Tim Carr’s saddles were highly coveted by the local station owners, jackeroos and anyone else that wanted a close contact saddle to muster cattle. His name as a supplier of a great stockman’s saddle was synonymous throughout the district of Charters Towers and beyond. Tim passed away in 1947 at Charters Towers.
Advertisement in 1895 - above
Gill Street, Charters Towers in 1897 - Pic Credit: ABC
Northern Miner Article - 1904
The saddle below (one of four made - the other three now not in existence) was made in 1944 for Sam Pugh, Charters Towers. The kneepad is turned back so as to hook your thigh in under it when riding a bronc. Matt Stevens "rode in it" for Sam and borrowed it whenever he needed it. Matt confided that a lot of times when he was bucking out a horse in this saddle, that he did get quite a few bruises from the pad. When Sam died his wife gave the saddle to Matt, then when he was unable to ride, due to old age, he passed the saddle into Warren West's care, and it was used extensively on his property. Both gentlemen kindly donated the saddle to the museum so that everyone could enjoy viewing the saddle.
This is one of the rarest Australian Stock Saddles in existence, it was made by Tim Carr of Charters Towers, and we know that he only made four with this uniquely shaped kneepad . The whole saddle was hand sewn using handmade threads so in honour of this, I re-made the panel in the same manner as it was done originally using a handmade thread. This panel was made somewhat differently to a modern panel, not more difficult just a little different and not like any other I've seen except for the Kneipp Saddles of Tenterfield, but still a bit different from them. The panel top overlays the undersized sweat flap, normally it's the other way round.
Tony Gifford, Saddler
