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QUILTED SEAT OFFICER’S MCCLELLAN SADDLE – VERY
NICE COMPLETE EXAMPLE OF A PRIVATE PURCHASE – ca. 1900 –
1920: This is a very nice example of the
civilian manufactured McClellan Saddles that were
available on the market in the late 19th and
early 20th Centuries. Not only was the
civilian market captivated by the style of the McClellan
Saddle due to its association with the various battles
and historical events that occurred during its long
service life, but the civilian saddle makers were also
targeting the regular army and militia officers who were
required to purchase their own equipment. While many of
the saddles produced on the civilian market generally
followed the regulation pattern, they did not
incorporate the features that would be required by an
officer intending to use the saddle in the course of his
official duties, such as equipment rings and coat
straps. In contrast to these strictly civilian,
pleasure riding saddles, this particular specimen not
only features a quality quilted seat stitched in an
acanthus leaf pattern reminiscent of those officer
saddles popular during the Civil War, but it also
includes the basic military necessities of coat strap
slots, coat straps, and equipment rings on the front and
rear side bar extensions.
This saddle was marketed by Montgomery Wards Company,
and is so marked with legible company stamps on both of
the short leather skirts or jockeys on each side of the
saddle. It is worth noting that the 1921 Montgomery
Wards Winter sale catalog featured a “regulation General
McClellan Army Saddle” as one of its offerings.
Obviously well cared for through the years, this saddle
has survived in very nice condition. The quilted seat
is fully intact with all the stitching and padding in
place, and it retains a smooth shiny leather surface
with little sign or wear. While the color of the
leather covering the pommel and cantle, as well as the
jockeys and quarterstraps are the standard russet
leather color of the regulation army saddles during the
early 20th Century, the quilted seat is a
nicely contrasting gold or light tan color, which
highlights the stitching and speaks of a higher quality
saddle that may well have belonged to a senior officer
of some financial means. The balance of the leather, to
include the leather binding covering the crests of the
pommel and cantle, is in very good condition, showing
only minimal aging with no significant damage and a
generally smooth surface. The upper portion of the
jockeys, where they are attached to the seat and are
prone to bend, show some flexing and crazing, but again,
no surface loss. The four original coat straps are all
full length and are all original to this saddle as all
four still retain the riveted stops to prevent them from
being removed from the coat strap slots. All of the
German Silver fittings - pommel shield, coat strap slot
plates, equipment rings, and foot loops - are
present and have a nice aged patina. The stirrups and
stirrups straps appear to be original to the saddle, are
of the same russet color, and are in the same nice
condition. The wood frame stirrups are full form with
no damage or splits, the hoods are full form and retain
a very nice shiny surface, and each stirrup is fitted
with a toe guard attached to the bottom of the stirrup
with small brads and stitched to the lower edge of the
inside of the hood. The stirrup straps are full length,
with a nice smooth surface and the supple leather is
solid with no splits or repairs.
Overall this is a very attractive saddle, and while it
is a commercially manufactured McClellan, it would make
an excellent center piece for a collection of officer’s
accoutrements, equipment and weapons from the early 20th
Century. $950
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