|
MODEL 1885 McCLELLAN SADDLE STIRRUPS – SCARCE
MATCHED PAIR – ALMOST NEVER FOUND ON THE LOOSE:
This is a very scarce offering of a matched, solid pair
of hooded stirrups for the Model 1885 McClellan Saddle.
Components for any of the Indian Wars era McClellan
Saddles have never been common on the open market.
Those that did surface were more often than not
clandestinely traded among a small group of dedicated
Indian Wars cavalry collectors in the world of secret
high signs and hushed voices. Making an inquiry for the
parts necessary to complete one of the Indian War
saddles over the last several decades has always been
met with furtive glances, furrowed brows and barely
audible muttered denials, accompanied by gravely shaken
heads. Yes, this is all very tongue-in-cheek, but the
truth of the matter is that items such as these
stirrups, stirrup straps, and coat straps almost never
survive long enough to be included in catalogs or web
sites before they disappear into a collection. I will
freely admit, were it not for the reserve of parts I
have accumulated over the years, this pair of Model 1885
Stirrups would never see the light of day.
Produced for a relatively short period of time before
the army changed from black leather to russet leather in
1902, the Model 1885 Stirrups were subjected to hard use
on the Western Frontier, and then overseas during the
Spanish American War, so many were consumed in service.
Of course, the Model 1885 Stirrup was introduced with
the Model 1885 McClellan Saddle, however it continued in
use with the Models 1893 and 1896 McClellan Saddles as
well. Not only did the army change the color of the
leather hoods in 1902, but the frame was changed by 1904
with the addition of half-moon shaped iron reinforcement
plates on both sides the outer surface of the frame and
the Model 1885 Stirrup was eclipsed by progress.
This pair certainly shows evidence of field use, yet
they have survived in full form and they present as a
strong, solid, matched pair. The correct dimensioned
frames are fully intact with only some superficial age
checks at the top of the frames and some very minor wear
to the rear edges where the soldier’s boot would have
worn against the wood. Otherwise the frames are free of
any splits commonly seen where the frames are bent. The
hoods are likewise full form with no edge loss, the
leather is supple without being oil soaked, and there is
no hardening. The hoods are still well attached with
all the rivets and they retain the “bell” shaped front
curve. The leather is overall smooth with only some
minor crazing on one of the hoods. Neither one of the
“US” emblems which were embossed on the front of the
hoods survived, however this is not an uncommon
occurrence – the emblems often succumbing to repeated
wettings and wear during service in the field. One hood
has some alpha-numeric stamps low on the front, probably
a unit applied inventory control number. Regardless of
the absent “US”, all of the construction characteristics
are consistent with other known arsenal made stirrups of
the period and there is no doubt in my mind these are
original regulation Model 1885 Stirrups.
This is an excellent pair of stirrups to complete a
Model 1885 McClellan. That this is a scarce offering
cannot be overstated, and it’s one not likely to be
repeated.
(0438)
$475
|
