Here is an original Model 1859 McClellan saddle first used by United States mounted troops during the Civil War.   In excellent condition overall, this government-inspected wartime cavalry saddle remains tight, very strong and retains all of its original cavalry equipments, save for its surcingle and saddlebags.  The McClellan retains its open-seat tree with the exposed rawhide cover still in excellent original condition. Stitching, usually found frayed and torn away from the rawhide, is very strong, smooth and unfrayed. Clearly visible on the seat cantle, in black ink, is the three-line U.S. inspector’s stamping.  Saddle has all its brass escutcheons at the cantle and pommel mortises. Top center of the pommel also exhibits the slotted brass shield device indicative of the size of the saddle that displays “11½ INCH / SEAT” tightly secured to the pommel. Front face of pommel does suffer from a slight separation of the rawhide below the brass escutcheon (minor).

Screwed onto the McClellan saddle are its original set of large, black harness leather sweat skirts. Included are the two black harness leather calf skirts, pommel and cantle leather quarter straps with the winged D-ring over the skirts, leather carbine thimble, leather girth, and all five original narrow black leather coat straps. In addition, it has its black leather crupper, all original cantle and pommel rings with all the saddle staple rings. In addition, each of the two outside quarter straps, fitted with large iron buckles, secures a large, bent white oak or hickory stirrup wrapped in a black leather hood or boot.  Wooden stirrups feature a 2” deep tread with the far side (right) frame slightly cracked. The stirrup hoods wrap around the frames and are in excellent condition and made of strong black harness leather riveted to the frame.

No markings or stampings visible on the exterior saddle leather equipments. All the leather accoutrements are in very good to excellent condition but some pieces do exhibit light surface cracking and crazing (skirts).  One area of the leather girth shows much scuffing and wear due to age and heavy use; else leather is strong, supple and not torn, ripped, cut-down or rotted.  If one seeks a high quality, original M1859 McClellan Civil War cavalry saddle in almost complete condition, this is it.

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