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Outstanding First Pattern, Regulation M1874 McClellan Saddle
Price: 11,000
This is the finest First Pattern M1874 McClellan Cavalry Saddle I have ever seen. It is one of the reported first 20 made at Watervliet Arsenal with a few metal parts tin-plated for trial as an idea to reduce rust. (the idea was dropped). Every part of this fine saddle is exactly as it was manufactured at Watervliet, including the optional sweat leathers and the full set of coat straps. The leather is live and shiny; there are no open seams nor damage of any kind. One of the hooded stirrups has some old flaking at the lower edge but the "US" in the oval is still strong and the flaking has been stabilized with Pecard. The left front sidebar and one stirrup hood are distinctly stamped "WATERVLIET/ARSENAL" and the pommel shield is marked "11 in.SEAT".
The M1874 Saddle, also called the"Custer Saddle" because it was the regulation cavalry saddle at the time of the Custer Massacre, is seen in several minor variations because they were often replicated in the field by regimental saddlers from earlier pattern saddles. A true Watervliet Arsenal-manufactured saddle to full regulation specifications is a very scarce saddle today in any condition and most in collections today (private and public) have been assembled from components over the years and often show repairs and other modifications.
This saddle comes with a like-new, early Rock Island Arsenal-manufactured girth as well as a full set of original M1874 coat straps. Another bonus is the set of two original 1874 sabre straps that attached the sabre to the saddle for long marches (i.e. it was detached from the sabre belt straps while the soldier was mounted.) A further bonus is the matching M1874 Carbine Thimble or Socket that has the tinned buckle. As I have said, it is reported that only 20 of these saddle sets were made and this is the only specimen I have ever seen of the carbine socket made ESPECIALLY for the First Pattern M1874 trial saddles.
Of all of the Indian War cavalry saddles, the M1874 is the best representative of that historic period and this saddle is the best specimen of the M1874 I have ever seen - in any collection or museum (if they have one, which most don't).
The 7th Cavalry-marked saddle cloth is not offered with the saddle but can be purchased separately. Also available for separate purchase is a set of Benecia Arsenal-manufactured M1874 Saddlebags that are unit-marked, the grey Indian War bedding blanket (for attachment with coat straps to the cantle of the saddle) and a set of the Pattern 1872 Brush and Shoe Pouch (for the currying brush and one spare horseshoe).
From the personal collection of one of the co-authors of the book, THE AMERICAN MILITARY SADDLE, 1776-1945, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a saddle that is the very best of the Custer era.
Other photos are available on request and a copy of the book THE AMERICAN MILITARY SADDLE, 1776-1945, will accompany a sale of the saddle.
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