McClellan Saddle

[Kathy Frey]

I have an original McClellan saddle and it has a bronze plate rivited on it with a number B32.  Does anyone know if the calvary/us army kept records of the saddles that they issued the military or where I would find such records?

[Wolfgang]

Very interesting.   I don't know.   We have a McClellan saddle here at the ranch . . . I've never paid much attention to it.  I'll have a look . . . . . .

[Dave McGowan]

We had one back in the 60s (that I wish I still had) but it has been lost over the years. The North West Mounted Police (and later the Royal NWMP and the R Canadian MP) used the McClellan saddle. They stamped them with Troup, Company, and stall (Company B, stall 32) if this is indeed where your saddle came from it should also have NWMP or some such on it. Look for a US, NWMP, or perhaps a British outfit since they also used them. It could be underneath a skirt, branded on the leather or stamped on the tree. Later versions also used a stamp on the metal frame.

An interesting thing, many US special guard and police units would mark there saddles. Most Canadian outfits did not mark, except for the Vancouver and Toronto Police mounted patrols. In later years ... probably after their work became more ceramonial ... they all did.

[Dave McGowan]

I should edit my stuff before I hit add!!!!!