McClellan Cavalry Saddle

McClellan cavalry saddle with iron stirrups and brass shield. 11" seat. The McClellan saddle was a riding saddle designed by George B. McClellan, after his tour of Europe as the member of a military commission charged with studying the latest developments in engineer and cavalry forces including field equipment. Based on his observations, McClellan proposed a design that was adopted by the Army in 1859. The design was based on the Spanish tree saddles which were in wide use in the United States at the time, and had also seen US Army use. The McClellan saddle was a success and continued in use in various forms until the US Army's last horse cavalry and horse artillery was dismounted late in World War II. Today, the McClellan saddle is used by mounted units in the US Army. The saddle was used by several other nations, including Rhodesia (modern day Zambia and Zimbabwe) and Mexico, and to a degree by the British in the Boer War (1899-1902). The saddle did see some modification over time.