Here is an original Model 1859 McClellan saddle first used by United States mounted troops during the Civil War. In very good condition overall, this wartime cavalry saddle is partially identified to a horseman with the name “S. W. Skinner LeRoy, NY” hand written in black ink into the bottom of the left stirrup. Letters are also carved into two other locations on the saddle leathers.

Though many Skinners are listed in the records, research indicates that Samuel Skinner, a native of Great Bend, Pennsylvania, was a forty-five-year-old mechanic in the LeRoy, New York area and mustered into Co H of the 1^st New York Veteran Cavalry as a private for one year on August 29, 1864 at Binghamton, NY. This regiment was originally intended to become the 17^th New York Cavalry regiment, but the designation was changed before the organization started. New York State Museum records show Samuel Skinner as part of the 17^th Regiment.  The 1^st NY Vet Cavalry was attached to the 2^nd Cavalry Division, Army of West Virginia in August 1864. Records indicate the cavalry regiment was in action at Duffield Station, Cedar Creek, Berryville, Charlestown, and Falling Waters after which it was sent to remount camp in Maryland until the end of October 1864. On December 20, 1864, Skinner joined the regiment from the recruit depot.  Skinner was taken ill in March 1865 with constant diarrhea at Camp Piatt, West Virginia where he was exempt from all duty until he was discharged on June 8, 1865. He returned to Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, married, raised a family and died of the disease in October 1877.

Skinner’s saddle, a late war variation, is maker-marked with the small brass medallion tacked to the saddle’s left side front under the pommel ring. The oval device is embossed “D. DEMAREST / MAKERS / NEWARK, NJ.” Daniel Demarest with his son was in saddle tree maker business at 4 Division St in Newark, NJ between 1856 and 1865. This saddle remains tight and very strong overall, and retains almost all of its original cavalry equipment. Included are its size ‘3’ tree, both saddle skirts, quarter straps, stirrups, stirrup leathers, leather hoods, girth, girth straps and billets, plus its original crupper which still retains it rings, buckles and straps. Saddle has no saddlebags, halter, reins, coat straps, thimble, or blanket. T

his McClellan saddle retains its open-seat tree with the exposed rawhide cover still in excellent original condition. Stitching, usually found frayed and torn away from the rawhide, is still strong but stiff. Areas do show some old stitching separation beneath the pommel and the cantle. Has all its brass escutcheons at the cantle and pommel mortises. Top center of the pommel also exhibits the slotted brass shield device indicative of the saddle size that displays “11½ INCH / SEAT” tightly secured to the pommel.

Screwed onto the McClellan saddle is its original set of large, black harness leather sweat skirts. Included are the two black harness leather calf skirts, pommel and cantle leather quarter straps with the non-spaded D-ring. In addition, it has its black leather crupper, all original cantle and pommel rings with all the saddle foot staple rings. Each of the two outside quarter straps, fitted with large iron buckles, secure the large, bent white oak or hickory stirrup wrapped in a black leather hood or boot.

Wooden stirrups feature a 2¾” deep tread with the partial ID handwritten on the bottom base of the near side (left) stirrup. The stirrup hoods wrap around the frames and are in excellent condition and made of strong black harness leather riveted to the frame. Both hoods are still strong, but stiff and surface crazed. No government markings or stampings visible on the saddle leather equipment. All the leather accoutrements are in good to very good original condition, but some pieces do exhibit light surface cracking and crazing (skirts). One area of the leather girth shows much scuffing and wear due to age and heavy use; else leather is strong, supple and not torn, ripped, cut-down or rotted.

If one seeks an identified, high quality, original M1859 McClellan cavalry saddle with service in the Civil War, look no further. Comes with the soldier’s National Archive military and pension records in Washington, DC.

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