U.S. McClellan-Pattern Cavalry Saddle, 12" Seat, with Hooded Stirrups

A U.S. military McClellan-pattern cavalry saddle built on the enduring rawhide-covered wooden tree that defined mounted service from the Civil War era into the twentieth century. The seat carries a brass plate stamped "12 INCH SEAT" at the pommel, and one leather hood is embossed with the oval U.S. ordnance mark. The design is unmistakable: an open slot down the center of the seat, brass-bound coat-strap staples and mortise slots set into the pommel and cantle skirts, quarter straps and cinch billets in russet leather, and a horsehair-wrapped cinch. Wooden-tread hooded stirrups with brass rivets hang from broad fenders.

The McClellan was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1859 after Captain George B. McClellan's study of European cavalry equipment, and its light, durable form kept it in service through multiple wars and pattern revisions. This example pairs the darkened, well-used seat leather with noticeably fresher russet rigging, quarter straps, hoods, and stirrup leathers — consistent with a working saddle that has seen period-correct component replacement over its service life. The lot includes the saddle, both hooded wooden stirrups, cinch with horsehair cinch, and associated straps.

The McClellan saddle's genius was economy of material and weight. The rawhide-stretched wooden tree distributed a trooper's weight without a heavy padded seat, sparing the horse's back on long campaigns. Ordnance-marked U.S. examples were produced in enormous numbers across arsenals and contractors, with brass seat-size plates (11", 11½", 12") allowing quartermasters to fit troopers by measure. The pattern outlasted the horse cavalry itself, remaining in ceremonial and pack service well into the modern era.

• McClellan-pattern saddle on rawhide-covered wooden tree
• Pair of hooded wooden-tread stirrups
• Cinch with horsehair cinch and billet straps
• Quarter straps and associated rigging leather
• Display stand shown is not included

CONDITION

Good with no remarkable damage. The seat leather is darkened and scuffed with scratches and honest wear throughout, as expected of a service saddle; the rigging, hoods, and stirrup leathers are lighter russet and appear to be later working replacements. Brass fittings and the stamped seat plate are intact; the cinch retains its horsehair. Structurally sound tree.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Seat: 12"
• Seat Depth: 5 1/2"
• Flaps / Panels: 20"
• Maker Mark: Oval U.S. ordnance embossment; "12 INCH SEAT" brass plate
• Materials: Leather, rawhide-covered wooden tree, brass, horsehair