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215

Rare M1875 Wagon Driver's Saddle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Rare M1875 Wagon Driver's Saddle
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The saddle presents in the form dictated by the diagram and specifications detailed by the army when the saddle was adopted in 1875. The skirt of the saddle is stamped with the contract maker's name and a large "US" confirms that this indeed is one of those purchased and used by the army on the frontier. The rawhide seat, girthing straps and the skirts are original to the saddle. The stirrups and stirrup straps are original or are consistent with the period.  The girth on the saddle is one that was of a pattern used on Civilian saddles from well before the civil war and one that has survived through today. Its design that works and requires very little effort to make, so the design has been historically durable. The cords are cotton/wool and date easily to the 19th century. Very little information survived on these saddles. 23 years ago when Dorsey and McPheeters were researching their book on saddles were unable to find and example or anyone that knew of the saddle. They had to use drawings of the saddle in the book. This single example was discovered in an old collection in New York. Only known example to exist. Ken McPheeters has no doubt this is a genuine example of the very rare virtually non existent in any other known collection. To put the saddle in perspective, virtually wherever the soldiers rode the "McClellans" across the west, these saddles were close at hand used by the teamsters who drove supply wagons that supported the columns. These saddles were used to move the beans, bacon and bullets on which the Army traveled in all of the campaigns on the frontier. Rare saddle great find of the collection. These saddles were not designed nor manufactured at the arsenals, but rather a contract purchase by the army of an already established pattern in use across the nation. In addition to the design of this saddle matching that shown in the army diagram that this one is "US" stamped is key to its identification and it may be the only one left in existence. (SADDLE STAND NOT INCLUDED) $2,500-$4,000
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