johnggold

I am restoring a Humber gents sports bicycle c1949. Sturmey Archer say 1949, but frame serial number says 1947.

The images show a "repaired" mattress saddle. I think I can restore it. The photo shows a base that was replaced, and a cover that looks like it was cut from a suede jacket.

I think it is a Terrys saddle, but whatever it is, I need to see a picture to show what it looked like when new, and whether it was leathercloth or real leather. If it is leathercloth I can re-use the base. If leather, it may not be cost effective to work on.

Can anyone recognise it?

thumpism 

No expert here but I've seen a few mattress saddles over the years and none were actual leather or had leather covers. Over those springs and horsehair-looking padding would be some vinyl, would be my guess.

clubman 

Looks like a Terry from below. Middlesmore made similar.
Love the horsehair.
Also Wrights and Lycett. Here's a Wrights. As @thumpism says, they were vinyl or 'leathercloth' as you said

clubman 

Here's the top side and inside. They were very well done, stitching and all.

johnggold

That was really helpful. I have already rebuilt a mattress saddle and your image shows how the top should look. Last time I did this I had a similar top and was able to use it as a template especially the positioning of the gussets.

I will stick to leathercloth. Big problem will be the top rivets. They were made by Tuckers but discontinued. Couldnt find replacements last time so had to make my own by brazing a hardboard rounded washer to a brass tube then quartering the tube to provide the four leafs to bend back.

clubman 

Sounds interesting. PM me if you want different angles and I'll send them to you. @rhm is a veteran member here and he's been recovering, restoring and customizing leather saddles to very high standards. You might try to contact him if you hit any roadblocks.

johnggold

Had a bit of luck today. Diassembled saddle and found that the original leathercloth had been sandwiched between two pieces of vinyl.

I have a lot to do. The breathing rivets are still there but there are bolts everywhere else.

I will try your contact to see if he has a supplier of the hollow rivets.