Kieran

Hi There, I am sure by now you have found the answer to your question. But maybe if you have not this will help. The saddle you have is indeed a british cavalry saddle of the late 19th Century. It would have been used by officers of most mounted regiments and by most seving soldiers inYeomanry regimens. It is much closer to a civillian saddle in its design than the Military pattern Universal Pattern saddle that most Cavalry enlisted men used during this period. Its fine workman ship shows that this saddle would have been used by an officer who was expected to keep better cair of his equipment and would have had a servant or Bat-man to look after his tack and saddle. The reason it is more like a civillian saddle is because like a McClellan saddle the UP Saddle was and still is quite an uncomfortable piece of kit. I hope this will help you. I have some photos of one of these saddles that I am restoring at the moment. I have completly taken it appart so you will be able to see the construction. Let me know if you are interested in the photos and I will post them Kind regards. Kieran

Hi Altimann, Welcome. This is a great site with lots of info an very helpful people. Enjoy

Here is my first atempt at a US Civil war Cavalry head coller. I have put a few more photos in th gallery. Any feed back would be greatly appeciated Kind regards Kieran

Thats how you carve leathe too. If you want to carve an eagle. Cut away all the leather that is not the eagle Bingo

Try reducing your % on your software untill the pattern print out matches your ruler then make a note of this % size that will I recon be the % size you will need to use on your software to get the desired size. Kieran

Hi Nick, Welcome to the Forum, I use the Tipman when I am out at shows or on my stall in at a farmeres market. I am never garenteed to have power. The tipman is bassed on an old singer model and is a real help to me in the field. most places I go I cant use a generator so power is not an option. I have a good power macine in my workshop but sometimes the tippman is still the only way forward. Kieran

Can anyone tell me where I might be able to get a Miniture McClellan saddle tree from or if there is anyone out there who can make one. I am in the process of Making a 1/2 size set of US Civil war tack. The is now tack done but no tree for a saddle.

Glad to hear your AC is back on line. I visited the White stallion dude ranch near Tucson and understand why you need an AC Unit. Glad you have a macine that will do the job for you. Sounds like you are very happy with it. Enjoy Kieran

Good Choice, Great macine you will grow to love it. Happy stiching

Use a steel rule to make a straight line on the leather with a scratch awl. Then use your round or head knife to cut along the line. Easy :-)

They are brass button studs. We use them in the british cavalry to attach sword slings to our belts. You can get them in 3 sizes. The companys to try are Abby saddlery and Leprovo Leather in the United Kingdom. oth companys have web sites. If not PM me and I will try and help you

One little trick I find very useful, if you are stitching throuh thick leather, Get a Champagne cork. hold the flat end of the cork against the leather, it will help support the leather and you will never get an awl blade in your finger again.

They speak English so you will be OK.

I Have a boss, It is a great machine. Stich lengh can be ajusted from 4 to the inch to about 12 to the inch. It is a very simple thing. Not alot to go wrong. You will love it once you are use to the very different mode of opperation.