Antique Bob Marrs Saddle

Bob Marrs Saddlery (1927–2022). Amarillo, Texas

Before becoming a legendary master saddlemaker, Bob Marrs spent the 1940s and 1950s working as a true cowboy on iconic ranches like the Waggoner Ranch and the Mashed O. It was this firsthand experience in the saddle that gave him an unmatched understanding of exactly what working cowboys and cattlemen needed from their gear. Utilizing the G.I. Bill to attend leather-working school at night, followed by rigorous apprenticeships across Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas, Bob honed an extraordinary talent for construction and flower tooling. In 1954, he and his wife, Betty, established the historic Bob Marrs Stockman’s Saddle Shop near the stockyards in Amarillo, Texas, running it for 38 dedicated years and cementing his name as an elite icon of Western craftsmanship.  

Bob Marrs saddles are world-renowned for their flawless mechanical engineering, rugged utility, and exquisite, deep-cut leather artistry—most notably his signature poinsettia hand-tooling pattern. Built on premium custom trees to ensure an immaculate fit for the horse, his work earned him prestigious recognition across the industry, including the Don King Lifetime Saddlemaker Award and an 18-year tenure crafting the coveted "Top Hand" trophy saddle for the Texas Ranch Roundup. From working ranch hands to country music stars, world champion steer ropers, and discerning collectors, a genuine Bob Marrs saddle remains a highly prized masterpiece of authentic Texas heritage and cowboy tradition.