In the News

Doug Kidd of Border States Leatherworks of Arkansas Creates Military Replica Saddles from the McClellan, Grimsley, Confederate, Drover or Hope Saddles for Historic Reenactments and Movies

Leathersmith creates handmade leather saddles from Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish-American, Mexican, WWI and WWII periods

SPRINGDALE, AR - November 20, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Border States Leatherworks specializes in American Military Saddles and cavalry equipment from the Revolutionary War up to 1928. These saddles include the Early English Dragoon Style saddle, the 1847 Dragoon Grimsley saddle, several styles of the Confederate Jenifer saddle, Confederate Texas style saddles, the 1859 Civil War McClellan, the 1862 Grimsley Artillery Driver’s and Valise saddle, the 1872 McClellan, the 1874 McClellan, the 1885 McClellan, the 1904 McClellan and the 1928 McClellan.

"History has always been my passion," said Doug Kidd, Owner of Border States Leatherworks. "Participating in the movie 'The Blue and The Gray' was my introduction to Civil War reenactment. For three years after that I was part of an infantry unit and in 1983 I joined the cavalry." Kidd has been part of the cavalry ever since.

"By reenacting and performing living history I feel we are doing honor to the many real soldiers who have gone before," continued Kidd. "There is no way can we fully appreciate what they went through. It is my hope that I will be able to continue with this hobby for many years to come."

Kidd's hobby became a vocation in 1985 when Border States Leatherworks became a full-time business instead of just a hobby. Border States provides cavalry and artillery goods for reenactors and historical interpretation.

Two of Doug Kidd's specialty items are dragoon bits from 1840's and 1850's. These bits are hand applied brass faced, as were the originals. All Doug Kidd bits are handmade in house and can be custom-made for your horse. He also offers the confederate Clarksville "Troopers" bit and the Western "Troopers" bit along with Civil War federal bits. For the Indian War period he reproduces the Shoemaker bit.

To learn more about Doug Kidd and Border States Leatherworks, please visit the Web site:
Doug Kidd of Arkansas
McClellan Civil War and Military Saddles
Grimsley Mexican War Saddles
Confederate Civil War Saddles
Drover Western Cowboy Saddles

About Border States Leatherworks
Border States is a leather goods company owned and operated by Doug Kidd, a leathersmith with over 34 years of experience collecting, making and repairing leather goods of all kinds from many historical eras. Doug Kidd is known in the reenactment community as a military leather goods expert. Products made by Border States are guaranteed - if anything fails to hold up or breaks during normal use, it will fixed or replaced free of charge within the first year.

Border States Leatherworks Provides Genuine Saddles, Saddlebags, Belts, Holsters and Other Leather Cavalry and Artillery Goods for Historical Reenactment, Movies and Collectors

Leathersmith Doug Kidd has over 30 years of experience making handmade leather goods

SPRINGDALE, AR - November 20, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Border States Leatherworks provides genuine handmade leather goods used in military and historical reenactments. The company specializes in military leather goods from the Civil War and both World Wars. Leathersmith Doug Kidd has provided saddles, saddlebags, belts and other leather goods used in historical reenactments around the United States and in made for TV movies.

"I love working with leather," said Doug Kidd, Owner of Border States Leatherworks. "I have visited many Amish harness shops in Pennsylvania and have learned from them about hand work, where to use different grades of leather and how to finish a product correctly. There is not a better place to learn leather trade than from people who still use harness and tack 365 days a year."

Border States has leather goods to sell listed on the web site, but also buys and repairs leather goods.

About Border States Leatherworks
Border States is a leather goods company owned and operated by Doug Kidd, a leathersmith with over 34 years of experience collecting, making and repairing leather goods of all kinds from many historical eras. Doug Kidd is known in the reenactment community as a military leather goods expert. Products made by Border States are guaranteed - if anything fails to hold up or breaks during normal use, it will fixed or replaced free of charge within the first year.