The effect of shell ends on the contact problems of saddle supporting cylindrical shell is solved using the semi-bending theory of shells. The saddle / cylinder interface pressure and the stress distributions are found for different saddle angles, for both welded saddle and not welded saddle. The min. distance of the saddle position from the shell end is found such that the end has no effect on the stress at the saddle positions. The circumferential stresses at the plane of middle profile of the saddle are found experimentally using strain gauge. The experimental results are in good agreement with those obtained from numerical analysis.