The Crates name in the western saddlery industry dates back over 75 years to the 1940s, when Robert H. Crates joined T. Fletcher Sims in building Sims Collar & Leather Company in Chattanooga, Tennessee, established in 1932, into world-wide distributor and industry leader, Simco Leather Company. Robert Crates, a mid-westerner from Ohio moved south during the Great Depression, purchasing the small manufacturer of harness, horse collars, and miners equipment with Mr. Sims.
Crates Chattanooga will continue with support and information on present, past, and future products. The Fabtron-Crates Alliance will continue to be a MADE IN THE USA product and company. We will continue to distribute through established equestrian retailers and direct sale organizations, and not to the product end-user. The specifications listed are for Crates models made from the early 1980s until 2010. There are some duplications where we made more than one saddle using the same model number. Contact us if you need clarification on any model number. An updated version will be available soon.
The years after World War II brought a great demand for recreational saddlery and riding equipment, which soon eclipsed the work harness and farm equipment business. The sport of Rodeo grew rapidly, to become a major factor in the “horse business”. Robert H. Crates became the sole owner of Simco in the 1950’s and was joined in the 50’s after military service by sons Daniel M. and Robert C. Crates.
The 50’s, 60’s and 70’s were boom days for both Western and English riding sports. Simco Leather during this period was considered one of the largest world-wide distributors of western equestrian equipment, as well as a major pioneering factor in horse clothing and nylon tack and equipment. Simco also manufactured an extensive line of western style outer wear. The company grew to two manufacturing plants in Tennessee, and a distribution warehouse in Oregon to serve the West Coast.
The Crates family continued to lead Simco after merging with world leader fishing tackle manufacturer Shakespeare Company in 1970, a New York Stock Exchange Company. Shakespeare operated sporting goods companies in archery, golf, water craft, marine taxidermy, marine electronics, and mono-filament nylon products. Daniel M. Crates served as a member of the Board of Directors during this period. Shakespeare Company changed ownership in 1980.
In 1982 Robert H., Daniel M., and Robert C., along with key Simco team members, established Crates Leather company, Inc., in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to perpetuate the tradition of Crates-made western saddlery, distributed world-wide, as did the former company. Manufacturing was located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, home territory for over 75 years.
Thirty-five years later in 2016, still under Crates third-generation ownership and management, another major move was set in place. Crates Leather joined in an exclusive licensing arrangement with long-time saddlery manufacturer, Fabtron, Inc., of Maryville, Tennessee USA and owners Stan and Brad Headrick, whereby Fabtron has exclusive license to manufacture and market Crates branded products world-wide. While maintaining two separate companies, Fabtron and Crates will team together to offer innovative equestrian products with an eye to the future, as private family owned and operated MADE IN TENNESSEE, USA organizations.
Fabtron - Crates Alliance
Beginning June 1, 2016, Fabtron, Inc., of Maryville, Tennessee and Crates Leather Company, Inc., of Chattanooga, Tennessee pooled their 70-plus year history of manufacturing equestrian equipment. Fabtron is the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Crates branded saddlery worldwide.
We will maintain our two current separate companies and locations in Maryville and Chattanooga as in the past thirty-five plus years. Manufacturing, shipping and administration functions will be centered in Maryville, Tennessee. Crates Chattanooga will continue with support and information on present, past, and future products.
The Fabtron-Crates Alliance will continue to be a MADE IN THE USA product and company. We will continue to distribute through established equestrian retailers and direct sale organizations, and not to the product end-user.
Fabtron Maryville, as the manufacturing and administrative arm, is staffed to provide assistance in ordering, manufacturing and accounting information for all Fabtron-Crates products. Crates Chattanooga will continue as a source of product information as well as initiating Crates product ordering requirements, concentrating on Crates branded products. Contact either one of us. We are ready to help.
Fabtron-Crates is managed on a daily basis by its owner-operators. Our commitment is to design, produce, and market current and innovative equestrian products for today’s up-scale equestrian, with an eye to the future. Simply put, we are a family-owned and managed MADE IN TENNESSEE USA team.
Serial numbers on saddles can tell you more than you may realize but we also know that they can be a bit confusing. As a certified Prestige dealer we have put together the following guide to help you decode the serial number on your Prestige Saddle!
Where Can I Find The Serial Number?
For dual flapped saddles, you can find the serial number by lifting up the top flap! The serial number will then be located on the lower flap where the billets hang.
For the monoflap saddles, you will need to flip the saddle over. The serial number is also on the left side and will be located underneath the single flap.
What Do All Those Numbers Mean?!
Let’s start by looking at the first cluster of numbers which contains 4 digits.
The first two digits are going to be the seat size which means that the first two numbers will either be a 16, 17, or 18.
The second set of two numbers are the tree size. The example saddle shown below is a 17″, and was originally a 33 cm tree.
The tree of a Prestige saddle can be adjusted by a certified Prestige dealer so, if there is a number stamped underneath the second set of numbers (the tree size) that means the tree has been adjusted and the adjuster has stamped the new tree size underneath the original. In the example, you can see that the original tree size was a 33 cm however, there is a 32 stamped underneath of that 33 which means the tree size is now a 32.
Not sure about what your tree sizes mean? We can help you decode those here!
Crates Saddle Serial Number Lookup
The next three digits of the serial number stamped on the saddle is a three digit serial number given to that particular saddle as an identifier of that individual saddle.
After the three digit serial number, it is followed four more numbers which tell us the date of manufacture. On the example saddle above you see “0211” which means that it was manufactured in February of 2011.
Where Is The Serial Number On A Crates Saddle
Though not all saddles will have it, this saddle has a “C 5” stamped at the end of the eleven digit serial number. This tells us the tanning batch the leather came from. If needed, this would help you trace the leather back to the tannery. You can see this on the example saddle below!
The final marking, “L” means that this saddle has a long flap.
Crates Saddle Serial Number Information
Depending on the saddle it may have another letter printed towards the end. For example, an “A” means that the flap is +2 inches more forward than a standard flap and “AA” means the flap is +4 inches more forward.
You are now fully equipped to decode the serial number on your Prestige saddle!!
Crates Saddle Serial Number Lookup
Martin Saddle Serial Number
