Original Mac on ebay

[IowaYank]

Hey Guys, Heres an interesting original McClellan on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/Great-Civil-War-...item2a0a7b67e1

Two things I found particularly interesting is the slot cut in the skirt which they put the quarterstraps through, as well as the stirrups with the hoods inside the stirrups.

Dan

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Original Mac on ebay

Dan - Nice find! I anticipate a lively discussion on this. My immediate thought is that, from the photos, some of the pieces just look too good to be that old, although the saddle certainly seems age appropriate. And what's with the little holes around the edge of the skirt?

[IowaYank]

Re: Original Mac on ebay

Yeah, I noticed those small holes as well. Not quite sure. I'm sure someone will have a good idea for that.

I like the slot cut in the skirt to put the quarterstraps through. How many times have you gone to saddle and have one the skirts fold up under the tree?? I know I've had that happen. An easy fix but can be annoying at times. Pretty ingenious field modification!!

[neocelt]

Re: Original Mac on ebay

I know the owner/seller of this artifact very well and he's a straight shooter. Used to ride with me in the 1st Virginia back in the mid-to-late '70s (yes, I said '70s LOL!). I surveyed that saddle at the time, but don't have access to my notes at present, so can't make any meaningful observations. Cool piece!

Aden

[Mike_Schramm]

Re: Original Mac on ebay

Yeah, I noticed those small holes as well. Not quite sure. I'm sure someone will have a good idea for that.

I like the slot cut in the skirt to put the quarterstraps through. How many times have you gone to saddle and have one the skirts fold up under the tree?? I know I've had that happen. An easy fix but can be annoying at times. Pretty ingenious field modification!!

I would think the slots would also stop the bite that occurs (for lucky me) on the side of your leg between the girth straps and the stirrup leathers.

[woolhat1864]

Re: Original Mac on ebay

Not to be a poo pooer, but you gotta figure this thing is aroung 150 years old, depending on the manufacture date, probably saw a lot of use during the war and after. The after part is where my pooing comes in at. Unless it's documented that a trooper did indeed cut the slots for the billets, this could have been done well after the war by who knows. All I am saying is before everyone starts cutting up thier saddles, think about this for a while and maybe do some digging and see if there is any documention of someone doing this. Think about all the crazy stuff you have seen done to '04 Macs. Alright I'm done pooing, now on with the regularly schedules program.

Tommy Jackson
Ctritter Co.

[IowaYank]

Re: Original Mac on ebay

Good point Tommy. Point well taken!