Is this Civil War saddle and gun holster. Lots of pictures

[Roadquest]

A friend bought them at a flea market in Colonial Height Virginia. Most all metal on it is brass. It has 11 1/2 inch seat on the piece of brass.
The gun holsters have US on the brass pieces. The gun holsters are at 7" long. I will answer any questions.

Roadquest

 

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[Roadquest]

A couple more pictures

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Various small details of the brass parts on your saddle indicate it is a US Model 1904 McClellan saddle ...not civil war.

Compare the EXACT shape of each of your saddle's brass parts with the ones in the photos of this M1904 saddle for sale on Ebay. (Be sure to use Ebay's "enlarge" option for the photos there. http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-M1904-...326?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3367031116

The particular shape of the US insignia on the holsters indicates that they are from the same era as the saddle. But I can't say for certain without seeing the attachment-provision on the back side of the US insignia. If possible, please post photos showing how that insignia is attached to leather ...such as "tabs," or wires.

 

[Noodle]

Dang, that looks uncomfortable... male or female....

 

[kuger]

You would be surprised those saddles arent as uncomfortable as one would think

Are you certain those are holsters?I am not familiar,with any that look that way,they do look like harness blinders however

 

[Roadquest]

I think they are holsters. Here are some more pictures.

 

[Roadquest]

Various small details of the brass parts on your saddle indicate it is a US Model 1904 McClellan saddle ...not civil war.

Compare the EXACT shape of each of your saddle's brass parts with the ones in the photos of this M1904 saddle for sale on Ebay. (Be sure to use Ebay's "enlarge" option for the photos there. http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-M1904-...326?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3367031116

The particular shape of the US insignia on the holsters indicates that they are from the same era as the saddle. But I can't say for certain without seeing the attachment-provision on the back side of the US insignia. If possible, please post photos showing how that insignia is attached to leather ...such as "tabs," or wires.

Thanks for the information, That is very near the saddle, this one is. I will try to get more pictures.

 

[Monty]

Could be holsters I guess, but most regular GI issue holsters of that era I have seen have flaps to keep the firearm from jostling out. I would think it would be especially necessary for a mounted soldier? Monty

 

[kuger]

I am nearly positive they arent holsters,but blinders......%99 sure of it

 

[Red James Cash]

The holsters pretty much do look like a .45 acp would fit nicely into them.

 

[truckinbutch]

Dang, that looks uncomfortable... male or female....

McClellan didn't care zip for the rider . These saddles were designed to be the most comfortable for the horse .
Cavalry troops with sore a$$es could still function as mobile units . Horses out of comission from
sore backs relegated these same troops to the infantry .
Abott and Downing concord stage coach suspension was designed with the same intent . Passenger comfort was second to easing the burden on the horses .

 

[kuger]

Dang, that looks uncomfortable... male or female....

McClellan didn't care zip for the rider . These saddles were designed to be the most comfortable for the horse .
Cavalry troops with sore a$$es could still function as mobile units . Horses out of comission from
sore backs relegated these same troops to the infantry .
Abott and Downing concord stage coach suspension was designed with the same intent . Passenger comfort was second to easing the burden on the horses .

As I said they arent that uncomfortable

 

[kuger]

http://www.antiquemystique.com/pages/9585_jpg.htm

YOU GET THE IDEA?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

The 1904 saddle had leather stirrup covers with US gonchos. Can't find an inage but I have a verbal.

Antique WW1 1904 LEATHER US CAVALRY STIRRUP COVER. Unmounted new old stock with stamped "US". size is 14.5 x 10 inches. THICK STIFF LEATHER.

 

[kuger]

Here is a Pommel holster

http://www.floridareenactorsonline.com/accoutrements.htm

 

[stefen]

It so happens that I have a McClelland saddle thats been in the family since the turn of the century...I've used it for endurance riding...

The army still made saddles up to the WWII (mid-1940's) and are still being made today...(some years ago I bought a saddlemakers pony...from an Army Base, which is a device for holding saddle leather while its being sewn) makes a great stand in the den to hold a beer or 2...

Nevertheless, the McClelland saddle was made so it would accomodate any horse ranging from eue-necked throwbacks to draft horses to mules...

A 12 inch seat is the same as todays 15 to 16 inch western saddles (and aussie saddles)...comfort is based on the horsemanship and ability of the rider...

The so called 'gun holsters' are actually mule or draft horse blinders as mentioned by others...

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,111532.0.html

 

[kuger]

It so happens that I have a McClelland saddle thats been in the family since the turn of the century...I've used it for endurance riding...

The army still made saddles up to the WWII (mid-1940's) and are still being made today...(some years ago I bought a saddlemakers pony...from an Army Base, which is a device for holding saddle leather while its being sewn) makes a great stand in the den to hold a beer or 2...

Nevertheless, the McClelland saddle was made so it would accomodate any horse ranging from eue-necked throwbacks to draft horses to mules...

A 12 inch seat is the same as todays 15 to 16 inch western saddles (and aussie saddles)...comfort is based on the horsemanship and ability of the rider...

The so called 'gun holsters' are actually mule or draft horse blinders as mentioned by others...

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,111532.0.html

You crack me up,as I am the only one that mentioned that....who is the others?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The so called 'gun holsters' are actually mule or draft horse blinders as mentioned by others...

You crack me up,as I am the only one that mentioned that....who is the others?

I was thinking binder in my mind. Does that count?

 

[kuger]

The so called 'gun holsters' are actually mule or draft horse blinders as mentioned by others...

You crack me up,as I am the only one that mentioned that....who is the others?

I was thinking binder in my mind. Does that count?

Great minds think alike........not that I am taking Stefans word,I know what they are

 

[Deftone]

Yup blinders. I just handled a vintage pair of work horse blinders today. Very cool tho. I likey!


Holster ... . .. . . . . .