Anyone that has worked with a number of surplus war contract M1904 McClellans will likely have run across this variation in the brass mortice plates, also known by the manufacturers name as ‘saddle ovals’. In general, nearly all McClellans used the smaller, slightly elongated form. Occasionally, you’ll find a mortice plate that is rounder shape,…
A J.M. Hays Wood Products Co. makers label, commonly found on their WW1 McClellan contract saddletrees. This is about 1″ tall and complete is about 4″ long. This was applied on the paint applied to the tree, before the rawhide cover was sewn on. As you can see with this particular example, the paper label…
ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1897 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1897 excerpt from page 8 EQUIPMENTS From 1865 until about a year ago our saddles have been made from saddletrees which were left on hand at the close of the war….
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR FOR THE YEAR 1882 Appendix 14 REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1882 BY CAPT. F. HEATH, ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT, COMMANDING THE CHEYENNE DEPOT. CHEYENNE ORDNANCE DEPOT, Wyoming Territory, August 22, 1882. SIR: In compliance with instructions from your office, I have the honor…
This inspection mark was found on an original civil war 1863 vintage McClellan saddletree. This specimen was found under a civilian saddle built circa 1880s. This rather large, bold mark was present on both the rawhide and the wood, in roughly the same cantle position. It appears to have been made with heavy printers ink…
The following is gathered from the 1861 US Ordnance Manual, and describes completely the regulation ‘Pattern of 1859’ cavalry horse equipments. A complete set of horse equipments for cavalry troops consists of 1 bridle, 1 watering-bridle, 1 halter, 1 saddle, 1 pair of saddle-bags, 1 saddle-blanket, 1 surcingle, 1 pair of spurs, 1 curry-comb, 1 horse-brush, 1…
