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 rear face of the cantle
is legibly stamped with the saddle maker’s name, “M.W.H.
& 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 the date “1917”
and the inspector’s initials, indicating 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 six straps retaining
the riveted “donut” stops which kept the straps from
being removed from the slots and foot loops.
The four straps are still
wrapped in the original “pig tail” configuration as the
saddles were shipped from the maker, all are full length
with no breaks, and of course, all 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. 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 infested 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 makers name.
The stirrups are attached with original Model 1904
Stirrup Straps that are full length with no breaks or
tears, 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.
SOLD
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