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MODEL
1885 1ST PATTERN
McCLELLAN CAVALRY SADDLE –
EXCELLENT AND VERY DESIRABLE INDIAN WAR SPECIMEN:
This is an excellent example of the very desirable and
comparatively scarce Indian Wars era Model 1885 First
Pattern McClellan Saddle. Well documented in Ordnance
Memoranda No. 29, and one of the most familiar of the
series of McClellan Saddles issued during the Western
Indian Wars period, the First Pattern Model 1885
McClellan is closely associated with the historic Apache
campaigns in the American Southwest.
Manufactured at the Rock
Island Arsenal for a relatively short period of time,
these First Pattern Model 1885 McClellans saw extensive
service on the frontier and eventually in the Spanish
American War, and both conflicts accounted for a high
rate of consumption with few decent specimens surviving
to enter the surplus and eventual collector’s market.
Adding to the scarcity of the First Pattern saddles,
within a very few years the army adopted a series of
modifications and introduced the Second Pattern Model
1885 Saddles, and the application of these modifications
eclipsed any further manufacture of the earlier pattern
saddles.
This specimen, although
showing the expected evidence of use, has survived in
very nice condition. Well marked in several places, the
saddle is stamped on the left rear extension of the side
bar behind the cantle “D.C.L.” for D. C. Leonard, a well
documented inspector who was employed at Rock Island
Arsenal in 1885; is stamped with the piece worker’s
initials on both girth safes; and is legibly stamped
“ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL” on both stirrup hoods. The seat
features smooth, shiny leather overall and all of the
seams are intact. There is some crazing on surface of
the leather that covers the front and rear extensions of
the sidebars that extend beyond the pommel and cantle
respectively, likely from the saddle being stood up on
end in storage. This is visible in the photographs and
does not substantially affect the overall attractive
appearance of the saddle. There is a “notch” in the
crest of the cantle where the saddle was struck, but
from the wear to the edges of this point it appears this
was done during the course of the saddle’s service. The
quarterstraps are all intact and unbroken, connecting at
the full form safes on both sides and complete with the
girthing straps. As mentioned above, both safes are
stamped with the arsenal piece worker’s initials. All
of the brass hardware to include the coat strap mortise
plates, foot loops, staples and rings are present and
intact. It is noteworthy that two of the brass rings
show the characteristic elongating where they were
pulled out of round by the suspension of the heavy
equipment carried by the soldiers – further testimony of
this saddle’s use on frontier patrols and campaigns.
The stirrups are both full form, have complete solid
leather hoods, and full form unbroken wooden frames.
Although the stirrups show evidence of use, they both
feature a legible “US” embossed on the front center.
As the final saddle of the Western Indian Wars, the
Model 1885 McClellan Saddles have an air of historical
magic all their own, and are still one of the most
sought after pieces of cavalry equipment by serious
Indian War collectors. Overall this is an excellent and
complete specimen of the First Pattern Model 1885
McClellan Saddle, one that is difficult to find
available on the market, and seldom found in even the
most advanced Indian War collections. (0403) $3,650
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