1904-1859 leather stripping to rawhide

Hey all, i've got an 04' (I believe) that I want to take the leather off to make it more 59'ish. I don't plan on putting correct hardware on or making it 100% accurate. Just want to get my feet wet converting these to resell.

My question to you is do I take all the existing hardware off and just cut the seam off the leather and it will just come off? or is there something special I have to do? I have attached some pictures for your conveience. Many thanks-Chris

Hey all, my impulsive self couldn't wait for a reply so I already dug into it, striped the leather off, put everything back together and the finished product looks pretty good. Didn't take half as long as I though it would. I plan on doing more of these and reselling them. Anybody know where I can get good 1859 saddle hardware? Not the weaver stuff.