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CIVIL WAR McCLELLAN SADDLE OAK STIRRUP FRAMES
–MATCHED PAIRS: In 1864, for possibly one or a
combination of several reasons, the army decided the
leather hoods were no longer necessary for the stirrups
supplied with the McClellan saddles. Whether this was a
cost saving measure or in response to input from the
field, this decision is documented in a contract
executed between the US Army Ordnance Department and the
Moore and Company Saddlers of Cincinnati, Ohio when the
saddle was described with the notation, “The
Stirrup hoods will be omitted.”
These original Civil War stirrups without the frames
would be a good compliment to a mid to late war produced
McClellan saddle and certainly would be historically
accurate. Shown below in sets of photographs, each set
is separately described and priced.
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SET #1: A full form pair, this set shows
little, if any use and no damage. The wood grain is
intact with no splits or cracks. This stirrups measure
7 ¼” high, 5 ½” wide and the tread is 1 ¾” deep. No
doubt an original pair, both not only show the same
color and patina, both treads have the remnants of five
iron brads where it appears a piece of leather was
wrapped around the tread to provide a better purchase
with the boot on the stirrup. There is some soiling to
the top of the tread, evidence that these stirrups were
indeed used, but not to any great extent. With a very
nice color, this would be a very attractive set to add
to your saddle.
SOLD - See additional listing below
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SET #2:
This pair shows more evidence of use, but is still
overall solid examples of these uncommon Civil War
stirrups. Measuring 7 ¼” high, 5 ½” wide and with a
tread 2 3/8” deep, the wood grain has a nice even patina
and pleasing color. Again, these are certainly an original
matched pair, both of these stirrups showing the same
level of wear.
The one side of one stirrup is
fractured with some loss of wood - likely due to wear
against the horse. However, it is
interesting that the edges show signs of wear or
polishing, indicating the stirrup continued to be
used after the damage occurred. The other stirrup is full form and fully intact with no damage.
Both stirrups are solid and in spite of the loss of
wood, are not loose at the transom and show no signs of
play or weakness. There are rivet holes in the sides of
the frames indicating this pair had hoods on
them at one time, but the even color and lack of
staining characteristic to stirrups that have remained
hooded through time suggest that the hoods were removed
from this pair during their service life in the field
and were used without the hoods for some time. A nice
pair with lots of character and signs of honest use in
the field, this would be a good set to hang on a Civil
War McClellan that shows a little use. (0301)
$135
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