For discussion's sake: Antique Horse Tack

aladatrot, i trade and collect bits and spurs some, and have a lot of friends that are serious collectors. i also do some restoration and such on antique saddles and tack for collectors, (i'm a saddlemaker by trade) although i dont claim to be an expert on antiques, i have a fair amount of knowledge in both antique and contemporary bits, spurs, saddles etc. i may be able to identify them for you, and give you an idea of what they might be worth, or i will probably know someone that can.

as for finding them, good luck. people have been scouring the country for them for a long time. and often when we do find something still "out in the country", the owners dont really know what its worth, so they ask irrational prices for it. example: i found an old saddle last week that was worth maybe $800, the owner asked $3500.

and DO YOUR HOMEWORK! before spending much on "antiques." theres lots of reproductions out there nowadays, and lots of people get skinned on them.

send me some pics if you want and i'll try to help or maybe i can steer you in the right direction.