korneusz1 Report post Posted January 1, 2019 Second saddle I did - McClellan - 1904 + fenders Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squilchuck Report post Posted January 2, 2019 Nice! Did you make this for someone to use, or is it a show piece? I had a work colleague, who was a novice horse rider, rave about the McLellan saddle he rode on a pack trip. I wondered if he correctly identified the saddle because I've never seen them in use for any regular horse sport. I've never used one, but wonder how comfortable they are. --John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted January 2, 2019 (edited) Comfort and Army go together with Military Intelligence Edited January 2, 2019 by chrisash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oltoot Report post Posted January 2, 2019 I knew a few old quartermasters who assured me that the McLellan was primarily designed to be horse friendly not rider friendly but over time, improvements were made with the trooper in mind. The model in the pictured is the 1917, one of the most advanced but I never knew an old cavalry Sargent who wasn't one tough booger. Endurance saddles are much like them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smartee Report post Posted January 2, 2019 Very nice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
korneusz1 Report post Posted January 2, 2019 4 hours ago, Squilchuck said: Nice! Did you make this for someone to use, or is it a show piece? I had a work colleague, who was a novice horse rider, rave about the McLellan saddle he rode on a pack trip. I wondered if he correctly identified the saddle because I've never seen them in use for any regular horse sport. I've never used one, but wonder how comfortable they are. --John Personally I ride this saddle (original 1904 ) and I use it for riding in mountains. For me it's best saddle - light, best balance, short etc. I did this one for a man who celebrate US Cavalary in Germany. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Sioux Saddlery Report post Posted January 5, 2019 On 1/2/2019 at 9:29 AM, chrisash said: Comfort and Army go together with Military Intelligence Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thenrie Report post Posted April 22, 2019 I know this thread is a little old...but then so am I. From where do you source your brass parts? What weight of leather did you use? What type of leather (skirting, harness, etc) I have a late 1800s McClellan knock-off I'd like to rebuild/restore to usable condition. I've been told a 7-8oz skirting leather, but that feels heavier than what was originally on it. The original leather is suitable for patterns, but most of the seams were ripping out. Any handy hints and suggestions would be welcome. I'll be hand-stitching. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MilitaryHorse Report post Posted April 24, 2019 Brass parts used to be fairly plentiful and easy to find - Mast Harness made a ton of reproduction pieces, and Weaver carried them for awhile after buying Mast out. Doesn't look like Weaver lists their 'reenactment hardware' anymore. Plenty of NOS repro brass on eBay, but oddly enough, the sellers tend to list them for original artifact prices . Some folks have stashes tho... The covers on military McClellan's were 6-7 oz. collar leather. Having done new covers from tracings of old pieces, that will work, but you want to make and install the covers like the original were done. Put all the leather pieces together OFF the saddletree, leaving only the outside seams open. The smaller top sidebar covers can be stitched to the bottom covers where the arches are at. This makes a "boneless" saddle - you case the leather and fit the cantle over first, then the pommel, and then pull the bottom covers through the center slot. Fit the top sidebar tips over, then it's all about smoothing the leather, tacking the gaps along the pommel and cantle outside edges. This just leaves the outer seams to stitch up.. Todd H. https://www.militaryhorse.org/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Sioux Saddlery Report post Posted April 25, 2019 20 hours ago, MilitaryHorse said: Brass parts used to be fairly plentiful and easy to find - Mast Harness made a ton of reproduction pieces, and Weaver carried them for awhile after buying Mast out. Doesn't look like Weaver lists their 'reenactment hardware' anymore. Plenty of NOS repro brass on eBay, but oddly enough, the sellers tend to list them for original artifact prices . Some folks have stashes tho... The covers on military McClellan's were 6-7 oz. collar leather. Having done new covers from tracings of old pieces, that will work, but you want to make and install the covers like the original were done. Put all the leather pieces together OFF the saddletree, leaving only the outside seams open. The smaller top sidebar covers can be stitched to the bottom covers where the arches are at. This makes a "boneless" saddle - you case the leather and fit the cantle over first, then the pommel, and then pull the bottom covers through the center slot. Fit the top sidebar tips over, then it's all about smoothing the leather, tacking the gaps along the pommel and cantle outside edges. This just leaves the outer seams to stitch up.. Todd H. https://www.militaryhorse.org/ Fantastic pictures, for historical interest if nothing else! I can see a Campbell/Randall stitcher being used the first picture. It's rare to find such an old photograph of a leatherworker in action, with such clarity. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plinkercases Report post Posted April 25, 2019 Wow I am glad this thread came back to life. OP made a great looking saddle and I also love seeing old photos of leather workers doing thing deal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thenrie Report post Posted January 11, 2020 Sorry to do this, but I'm going to revive this thread again. Question: The McClellan I am going to rebuild did not have fleece on the bars, but I thought I'd add the fleece. Seems to keep the saddle from wandering on the horse's back. I see the guys in the vintage photos fleeced theirs. Any advice on that? MilitaryHorse, are you still watching this thread? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amandabstewart Report post Posted May 5, 2021 hoping people are still seeing this thread--I posted a new thread to help me fine-tune the identification of a McClellan I found...so I'm in need of some expertise! Amanda, in WV Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
