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The McClellan Cavalry Saddle

The McClellan Cavalry Saddle, designed by George B. McClellan in the mid- 1850’s, was used by the U. S. Army from 1859 until the 1940’s when the last horse cavalry and horse artillery was disbanded. It is still used ceremonially today, which proves that a well-designed product that fills a need will endure and stand the test of time.

Black and white photo of Harry Truman mounted on an Army Calvary Horse
Cut out of a McClellan Cavalry Saddle
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Page one of a brief historical document concerning the origins of the McClennan cavalry saddle and includes a side-view line drawing of the first McClellan Saddle and a photo of General George B McClellan after whom the saddle was named.
Page two of a brief historical document concerning the origins of the McClennan cavalry saddle and contains a photo of an American Civil War ear captain with a saddled horse, a side view photo of an early model McClellan saddle belonging to General George A. Custer and a diagram drawing of a 1928 model of the American McClellan Saddle.
Page three of a brief historical document concerning the origins of the McClennan cavalry saddle.
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McClellan saddle pommel shield, aged and worn, with 12 inch seat stamped into the medal.

I have been fascinated with McClellan saddles since I was a boy.

Over the years the design of key pieces of hardware from the saddle has influenced my hardware design for Col. Littleton bags.

The brass pommel shield is my favorite piece from the saddle.

The purpose of the pommel shield was to identify the seat size of the saddle and, many times, the arsenal that supplied them. Pommel shields also had a slot through which a leather strap could be threaded to anchor a bedroll or other necessities.

To me it is a symbol of Americana, and I’m proud to display that symbol on some of my products. The legacy of the McClellan Saddle lives on.

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Dark brown buffalo leather No. 3 grip travel bag sitting on an antique carpet with a man reading in a chair in the background
No. 3 Grip Travel Bag, featuring a Pommel Shield on the front
No. 1 Saddlebag Briefcase in Vintage brown american steerhide - back view
No. 1 Saddlebag Briefcase with pommel shield in clear view