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MODEL 1904 SECOND PATTERN McCLELLAN SADDLE – VERY
ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION: This
Model 1904 2ND Pattern McClellan Saddle is a
very attractive specimen, having retained a desirable
light caramel color
and survived with the components intact as it was
issued.
The overall condition of
this saddle is excellent, with the clear, bright russet
leather featuring a smooth shiny surface and a light
caramel color, with no sign of heavy use or oil
soaking. While bearing an inspector’s initials and
therefore was accepted into the army supply system, it
is very likely this saddle was never issued at the unit
level. There is no evidence this saddle has ever been
on a horse or has been ridden, and other than some minor
scuffs to the leather surface due to storage and
handling, this saddle has not been abused nor subjected
to hard use. There is no crazing to the leather, all of
the seams are secure and intact, and the surface of the
seat is particularly nice with little, if any, evidence
of wear or age.
The upper pommel quarter
strap is legibly stamped with the saddle maker’s name,
“P.C. CO.”, one of the civilian saddle maker firms which
manufactured these saddles under contract with the U.S.
Army. Beneath the maker’s initials is stamped the
inspector’s initials, “L.E.W.” and to one side, another
set of inspector’s initials, “B.F.S.”. These stamps
indicate this saddle was part of the war time production
in response to the United States becoming involved in
World War One.
A truly notable feature
which sets this saddle apart from the majority available
on the market today, four of the original coat straps
are present – their originality confirmed by the
presence of all four straps retaining the riveted
“donut” stops which kept the straps from being removed
from the slots and foot loops. The four straps are
still coiled in the original “self roll” on the pommel
and the “pig tail” configuration on the cantle strap as
the saddles were shipped from the maker. All four
straps are full length, three intact with no breaks, and
one of the pommel straps has been professionally
repaired to reinforce a weak spot. This repair is not
noticeable and is only seen on close inspection –
mentioned here only for the purpose of a complete
description. Of course, all four straps retain the
original buckles. The color of all six straps matches
the color of the saddle. Original coat straps
are now almost nonexistent, whether found on a saddle or
on the loose, and they are almost never encountered
still on a saddle as a complete set. The straps were
relatively fragile, given to wear out and break, or were
separated from the saddles when they passed into the
surplus market. Finding a single original coat strap
present on a saddle is very notable – finding four as in
this case, is truly rare.
The quarter straps are
complete, full length and have not been trimmed, and
both safes and both girthing straps are present – an
added plus as these girthing straps are normally missing
and are impossible to find on the loose. The ends of
both quarter straps and the ends of both girthing straps
still retain the original inspector initial stamps. All
of the fittings – foot loops, saddle bag stud, equipment
rings, and coat strap mortise plates – are present and
in likewise excellent condition. The lamb’s wool lining
on the underneath surface of the sidebars and on the
back of the girth safes has been lost to poor storage or
insects, a commonly encountered condition on these
saddles. The wool was just too much of a temptation for
the vermin that infest warehouses and barns, and it
seldom survives intact. The absence of the wool in no
way affects the display quality of the saddle.
This saddle is fitted with
the Model 1912 Stirrups. While the classic wood frame,
leather hooded stirrups would remain in service in one
form or another through the end of the army’s employment
of horses, these Model 1912 Stirrups, as well as other
metal stirrups, saw extensive use as well. In addition
to the familiar cavalry and mounted artillery troops,
there were many different specialized units which the
army also sent into the field mounted on horses –
machine gun companies, Signal Corps detachments, Corps
of Engineers, etc., as well as individuals assigned to
various tasks requiring that they be mounted such as
couriers and messengers. The choice of stirrups was a
decision left to the discretion of the unit commander,
and his decision reflected the environmental conditions,
the mission, and the availability of the equipment. In
the case of these stirrups, they are in like new
condition, showing no wear or abuse, and still retain
much of the original finish. The bottoms of both
stirrups are stamped with “U.S.” and the maker’s name.
The stirrups are attached with original Model 1904
Stirrup Straps that are full length with no breaks or
tears, both strap tips bear a legible inspector’s stamp
and are dated 1918, and the color of the straps is
commensurate with the balance of this saddle.
This is a very attractive, complete specimen of the
Model 1904 McClellan Saddle which has survived the years
in remarkably excellent condition. Once fairly common,
specimens such as this that have not been oil soaked and
retain the lighter caramel russet color, that are still
complete with all of the original fittings and straps,
and have not been reconfigured by the army or modified
through civilian use, are becoming increasingly
difficult to find, and they seldom appear on the market.
This early 20TH Century US Army saddle would
be a fine addition to your collection and one which
would be difficult to upgrade.
(0210) $950
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