Friday, November 8, 2013

Cowboy Collectibles -- Askew Saddlery's 40th Anniversary Watch Fob


In 1866, after the end of the Civil War, William Askew moved to Kansas City, Missouri.  There he established a leather and harness hardware business with his brother Wilson Askew, a nephew Frank Askew, and fellow named Dubois.  The small business employed 6 craftsmen, and was known as Askew, Dubois & Company.

In 1873, Dubois retired and the business was renamed WW & F Askew Company for William, Wilson and Frank Askew.  

In 1878, when William Askew retired from the company the business was renamed again to Askew Brothers Saddlery Company.

Finally in 1894, the company was incorporated as the Askew Saddlery Company with Wilson Askew as President and Frank Askew as Vice President.

The Askew Saddlery Company was among the first saddle-makers to provide quality saddles to working Cowboys in the business of driving beef to market in Kansas City, Missouri and Chicago, Illinois. 

Over the years the Askew Saddle became known as a superior product -- made with excellent materials by expert craftsmen.

By 1906, when the company celebrated its 40th anniversary, the factory employed over 135 craftsmen as well as many office workers, and sales staff.

The Askew Saddlery Company ended when it was purchased by the Harpham Brothers Saddlery in 1928 -- just before the beginning of Great Depression in 1929.


9 comments:

  1. Riding through. Very nice place.

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  2. Thanks for this info! I was given a very nice Askew saddle by an acquaintance. His grandfather had used it when he was a stock man for the US Forest Service. It is much too narrow to use on a horse, but it is in great shape and is a neat collectible.

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  3. Thanks for this info! I was given a very nice Askew saddle by an acquaintance. His grandfather had used it when he was a stock man for the US Forest Service. It is much too narrow to use on a horse, but it is in great shape and is a neat collectible.

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  4. Hello,we have an old Askew saddle thats been hanging in a shed for probably 40 years. Would like to clean it up but not sure how to do that. Hoping you have some recommendations. Thank you so much. Lynette . Lsdyer62@outlook.com

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    1. I use saddle soap and water. It will darken the leather, but at the age it is, it probably has already been darkened. After a good washing you'll need to use a good leather conditioner to protect and restore the leather. There are many on the market. If the leather isn't checking you might enjoy riding it. Good luck.

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    2. Thank you so much,ill give it a try.Its in pretty bad shape.

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  5. Hi I just bought a leather fringe necklace with the token on it. Looks Brand new, can you please tell me if it is worth anything? Thanks jen

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    Replies
    1. You can use my email dixiezakyukon@yahoo.com

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  6. Wilson Askew was Frank Askew's brother, not his uncle.

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