No historic maker in the West retains a more stellar reputation for quality, diversity and longevity than Visalia's San Francisco Saddlery. This is a very rare stainless steel Santa Barbara cheek bit in well maintained pre owned condition with a copper covered Salinas port mouthpiece. This is a loose jaw shank bit without embellishment that could easily be turned into a stunning Collectible masterpiece by a silversmith. Santa Barbara bits are featured in Visalia's vintage catalogs as an "Extra Quality" Lightweight Stainless Durable Santa Barbara Bit.
"A popular old stand-by Early California pattern. A bit of most satisfactory design".
This bit is marked VISALIA and HUMANE on the right and left side bars on the back side of the Salinas mouthpiece. The total shank length is 7-1/2 inches and the purchase is 2-1/2 inches for a leverage ratio of 3 to one . The bit weighs in at a solid 1 pound 7 ounces. The original catalog description reads as follows:
"The original Visalia Humane Bits are bits which are unique among loose jaw bits and are recognied as the finest ever constructed. The offset hinge points permit jaws to swivel freely proteting the horse's lips agaqint pinch or chafing. This is the remarkable feature of these bits. The coppper cricket stimulates saliva flow assuring a moist mouth condition while at the same time providing a vent for the natural nervousness of some horses. The Visalia Humane Bits are constructed of non rusting highly durable stainless steel, and are highly polished. It is humane on your horse, nicely balanced, durable, and practical. Handmade in the USA.
Arguably the most illustrious and historic saddlery in California, the Visalia Stock Saddle Company was actually founded by several men though the original saddle was credited to an employee of Juan Martarel, who created it while correcting faults in old saddles brought into his Hornitos, California shop for repair. The shop moved to Visalia, California in the late 1860's, but stiff competition resulted in Martarel selling out to David E Walker in 1870. Walker had worked for Main and Winchester in San Francisco and co-owned the new saddlery with Henry Shuham from 1870-79, then Wade (Walker-Wade) from 1887-1892 and Wegener from 1892 until his death in 1889. Edmund Walker Weeks, a nephew, inherited his Uncle's interest and subsequently bought Wegener's portion from his widow in 1903. The company introduced an elaborate line of silver mounted bits, spurs and bridles from the 1870's on and introduced the "Visalia Stock Saddle Company" name in the 1890's. The Visalia employees roster was a virtually Who’s Who‚ of renowned 19th and 20th century bit and spur makers including names like Larios, Hernandez, Goldberg, Herrera, Gutierrez, Gil, Bernal, Miller and Tietjen, Echavarria, Hoback, Lamdin, and Morales.
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