30

M1904 McClellan U.S. Calvary Saddle c. 1904

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 1,200.00 USD
M1904 McClellan U.S. Calvary Saddle c. 1904
Featured in this lot is this M1904 McClellan U.S. Calvary saddle circa 1904. The saddle features a wonderfully and professionally crafted leather and wood construction that shows a classic calvary design to the seat with loops and clasps with a high back seat and features monel stirrups with leather tapaderos to protect from brush. The saddle is marked in numerous areas as follows: U12 - 11 1/2 inch seat. The McClellan saddle was a riding saddle designed by George B. McClellan, after his tour of Europe as the member of a military commission charged with studying the latest developments in engineer and cavalry forces including field equipment. Based on his observations, McClellan proposed a design that was adopted by the Army in 1859. The design was based on the Spanish tree saddles which were in wide use in the United States at the time, and had also seen US Army use. The McClellan saddle was a success and continued in use in various forms until the US Army's last horse cavalry and horse artillery was dismounted late in World War II. Today, the McClellan saddle is used by ceremonial mounted units in the US Army. The saddle was used by several other nations, including Rhodesia (modern day Zambia and Zimbabwe) and Mexico, and to a degree by the British in the Boer War (1899-1902). The saddle did see some modification over time. Perhaps the most significant alterations occurred in the 20th Century, when the rigging was changed twice. The first time, an adjustable rigging was adopted, which lead to the M1904 McClellan. The condition of this cavalry saddle is well preserved with some wear to the leather and to the saddle itself due to age and use but otherwise is well preserved. The overall measurements of this saddle is 37 1/2" x 20 3/4" x 14" and a seat size of 11 1/2". The collective weight of this saddle is 12lb 12oz..