SACameron

Rod, Thanks so much for the info. First I have to state that I am not an expert on saddles. In Fact I noticed I put the wrong year for the saddle in the first place. I deal with 1858 Remington Revolvers alot and meant to say 1859 McClellan. Ooops. I would highly recommend the book you mentioned. I just got my copy this week. I had one on loan for about 3 months last year and it is really really intersting. I got mine for $66 new on Amazon. From a glance through the book, you are correct there was an 1859 and an 1864 model of McClellan. The Civil war era trees were recycled until 1896. As you know the McClellan saddle went through several models. I think it was with the 1904 that the tree changed. I will be very honest that I am just not sure what the changes are. I will read more and can offer a more definative answer soon. It is a common CW reenacting practice to use 1904 trees to make look alike 1859s. What we do is horse drawn artillery. We need lots of saddles, 6 per gun is regulation, and we needed that many at least. I bought 2 Grimsley saddles reproductions for $1000 each, but I certainly can't afford 6/8 of them. They also proved to be very uncomfortable, my drivers refuses to use them, so I bought 7 1904s off Ebay ranging from $150-$250. Out of all of those only one had rotten stiching so I removed the leather to make a cavalry (rather than drivers) saddle. Now from the book, American military saddles there are references to McClellan drivers saddles, but I am not aware of a surviving original, so leaving the leather on the seat, is a stretch as well. What I did was dye the saddle black, add skirts, change stirrups, and chnge the girth arrangement. I also added staples to the couple of non artillery saddles to start with. So admitadely what I have done is not 100% accurate, but I think it is reasonable. I do know the Confederates used regular jennifer saddles (very close to the McClellans) with staples and different stirrups as artillery saddles. Doug Kidd's web site, Border States leatherworks has pictures of all of the variations of McClellan saddles. Now I have proved how little I know. Thanks again, Steve

I am altering a 1904 McClellan Saddle to be an 1859 McClellan saddle. The 1904 has a leather covered rawhide seat, the 1859 has an exposed rawhide seat. I have taken the leather off. What do I treat the tree with to protect the rawhide from the elements? I have another Reproduction 1859 and it has a clear coat on it, looks almost like polyurethane. Any insight is greatly appreciated. Take care, Steve

Rich, Great. As ususal I have a couple of questions about clicker dies. I have a couple of non leather items I would like to click out as well. They are: 1. A Copper Disc 1.75" in diameter, .020" Thick 2. An Aluminum "doughnut" inner hole 1.75". outer diameter 3.25" about 20 Ga thick 3. An Aluminum disc 2.625" in daimeter and .10" thick 1. Will the dies hold up to these items, even to make 100 Pcs, 250Pcs? 2. How much tunnage will I need to click these out? 3. What would the price be for these dies? Drawings of course can be sent. I also want to click out a few harness/tack leather items as well. I want to make a clicker die for the Remington 1858 holster in one click, how much would these dies run? This is a large flap holster. How much pressure would be needed? I will probably get a bottle jack clicker as well, I might get a bigger press from somewhere else and use the weaver plates. Anyinsights would be appreciated. What is your address" You can PM that to me. Thankyou, Steve

Thanks Randy! I will check them out. Steve

I will be making a few holsters and other leather items primarily Civil war era, but some other. My questions are: 1. Where can I get Holster finials? These are the brass stub that the closure strap attaches to. 2. Where can I get the WWI/WWII era belt hangers for a 1911 Military type holster? Any help is greatly appreciated. Take care, Steve

I am interested in making a few Civil War holsers and a few other period leather items. I have a couple of source questions: 1. Where can I get Linen or cotton thread, which I understand is period correct for these items. 2. Where can I get holster finials? This is the brass stub that holds the closing strap for the holster. 3. Anyone know of a source for maker's stamps? Any insight is greatly appreciated. Take care, Steve

I have an 1858 McClellan reproduction made by Doug Kidd. I also have a 1904 McClellan saddle that I want to make into an 1858. My question is what should I treat my 1904 McClellan tree with to protect it from the elements. After I took the leather off of it the raw hide is dry and unprotected. The newer made repro has a clear coating of some type on it. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Steve