This is a Model 1859 McClellan saddle used by both Union and Confederate cavalry during the American Civil War. This saddle is in original condition and shows no repairs at all. It comes with saddle bags, carbine thimble, and crupper. The open seat saddle tree is in excellent condition, having no damage at all. The exposed rawhide covering the seat is in very good condition. There are a couple of tears in the rawhide. One is on the cantle, approximately 4" long that runs from the bottom of the seat opening towards the top, between the center and left side bed roll strap escutcheons. The pommel area also shows some damage, the rawhide being worn off the front and back sides by the saddle shield. The front of both trees also have some area's where the rawhide is missing. All the stitching on the rawhide is tight, strong and unfrayed. The three brass escutcheon plates on the cantle and one on the pommel are securely attached to the mortises. The saddle shield is also securely attached to the pommel, and reads "11 1/2 INCH SEAT". The large sweat skirts are made of heavy black harness leather. The pommel and cantle quarter straps, with the winged D rings, are securely attached to the saddle. They show some light crazing on the high points of the straps. There is no damage to the skirts. Heavy, black harness leather straps with large jappaned roller buckles attach a bent oak wooden stirrup to each side of the saddle. The stirrups, each having a 3" tread, have heavy black leather foul weather guards riveted on them. The leather girth strap is in good condition. It shows honest wear, but is not torn, ripped or show signs or repair anywhere. The stitching remains as tight as the day it was sewn! All of the correct hardware, pommel and cantle rings, staples and saddle bag hook are present and secure. There is a makers tag on the left side of the tree by the pommel. It identifies the maker of this saddle as J Cummings. Josiah Cummings was from Springfield, Massachuetts. From November 1864 - March 1865 he had a contract for 5000 sets of Cavalry accoutrements, 3000 bayonet scabbards and horse bridles, halters, saddles, traces and collars. The crupper, saddle bags and carbine thimble are unmarked, but all Civil War issue. The crupper and thimble are undamaged. The crupper shows wear and a little leather loss at the bottom of the tail ring. The saddle bags are in good condition. Usually the leather that joins the bags is ripped or torn in two. That is not the case with this set. The closure straps are missing from these bags, either completely or partially. If you have a Civil War cavalry collection this one will make a beautiful addition. It looks as though some trooper just pulled it off his horse!

Item # AA1359

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