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MODEL 1904
McCLELLAN SADDLE STIRRUPS – PAIRS:
Pairs of leather hooded McClellan Saddle Stirrups are
becoming increasingly difficult to find on the loose to
complete your saddles. On occasion, I have a pair or
two that are surplus to my needs and I can offer them
here. Those that I have currently in inventory are
listed below with individual descriptions and
accompanying photographs, and you will receive the pair
that is described and pictured in that particular
listing.
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PAIR No. 1:
MODEL 1904 McCLELLAN SADDLE STIRRUPS:
These
two stirrups are not a matched pair – one is a Model
1904 1ST Pattern Stirrup and the other is a
Model 1904 2ND Pattern Stirrup (identified by
the two layers of leather that makes up the hood).
While not a matched pair, they are close enough in
condition and color to display well on a saddle. In the
purest sense of collecting, one would assume that the 1ST
and 2ND Pattern stirrups were issued and used
in pairs, but the reality of the issue system and the
conditions and environments in which the saddles were
used, when a soldier required a replacement stirrup, he
was issued whatever the Ordnance sergeant or company
saddler had available.
The 1ST
Pattern Stirrup is quite nice, with an overall smooth
surface and a very nice light caramel color, showing no
crazing. The embossed “US” is fully legible. The frame
is in excellent condition with no cracks or splits and
the bottom of the tread is maker stamped “Spaulding” and
dated 1917.
The 2ND
Pattern Stirrup shows a bit more evidence of use, with
some minor crazing along the bottom edge of the hood.
The seam around the edge is fully intact with no
separation. The embossed “US” is legible. The
color is overall medium brown on the front to a lighter
brown on the sides of the hood. The frame is in
excellent condition with no cracks or splits and the
bottom of the tread is stamped with the maker’s initials
“KP” and dated 1917.
In spite of
the difference in patterns, this is still a very nice
set to complete your saddle. (0139) $180
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PAIR No. 2:
MODEL 1904 McCLELLAN SADDLE STIRRUPS – 1ST
PATTERN:
This pair of Model
1904 1ST Pattern Stirrups, identified by the
single layer of leather that makes up the hood have seen
use, and while not a matched pair, they are close enough
in condition and color to display well on a saddle.
One stirrup is
mostly smooth with only some isolated crazing along the
bottom edge and with a fully legible “US” embossed on
the front of the hood. The color varies from medium to
dark brown. The frame is overall solid with no cracks
or splits and the bottom of the tread is maker stamped
“Spaulding” and dated 1918.
The second
stirrup is crazed on the front of the hood with the
sides mostly smooth. The “US” is discernable, but has
faded with wear. The color is overall dark brown which
could be lightened with a good cleaning with a solvent
such as acetone. The frame is solid, but has age checks
at the bottom corners. There is no weakness to the
frame and it holds its shape. The bottom of the tread
is maker stamped “Spaulding” and dated 1918.
Model 1904 1ST
Pattern Stirrups are anything but common, most having
been used up during the course of service and were no
longer produced after they were replaced with the 2nd
Pattern Stirrups in inventory. Finding a pair on the
loose is a particularly notable opportunity to complete
your saddle. (0314) $150
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PAIR No. 3:
MODEL 1904 McCLELLAN SADDLE STIRRUPS – 1ST
PATTERN - VERY NICE MATCHED PAIR:
This matched pair of Model
1904 1ST Pattern Stirrups, identified by the
single layer of leather that makes up the hood have
survived in very nice condition, with a rich even color,
and they would display well on a high condition saddle.
Neither the stirrup hoods or frames bear any maker's
marks, however both show evidence of age and from all
appearances are original to the period of use. The
leather used to fashion the hoods is what the army
called "stuffed leather", leather which was heavily
treated with oil - literally "stuffed" or saturated in
order to provide some protection and waterproofing.
The leather around the rivet burrs bear the imprint of
the rectangular rounded end rivet sets used by the army
during this period, so it is possible the hoods were
replaced at the arsenal or by a unit saddler in the
process of refurbishing a saddle.
Both stirrups
are in excellent condition with complete hoods, the
leather on both is overall smooth with no crazing, both
have a rich medium caramel color, and the frames are
solid with no splits or breaks. The embossed “US”
on both hoods is very legible with no fading.
Model 1904 1ST
Pattern Stirrups are anything but common, most having
been used up during the course of service and were no
longer produced after they were replaced with the 2nd
Pattern Stirrups in inventory. Finding a pair on the
loose is a particularly notable opportunity to complete
your saddle, and this pair is in remarkable condition. (0417) $250
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