The WWI War Contract Model 1904 McClellan saddles

In 1917 you find a distinct change in M1904 series, attributable to the re-allotment of steel and iron resources to other war production. The steel tubular rivets and caps disappear, as well as the iron/steel wire stirrup loops, replaced by brass rivets and burrs, and cast brass stirrup loops. On a majority of the trees made, the fine profile of the pommel is lost, with war production trees having much heavier, blockier looking pommel profile. These seems to reflect a time savings in shaping the pommel. I've seen a few where the shaping was so rudimentary that you can feel a hard angled edge under the cover.  

These 1917 and 1918 production saddles are the ONLY McClellans to have the brass stirrup loops, which is a key identification detail. For the same reason, all (or nearly all) M1928 McClellans will have brass stirrup loops as well, since they were constructed using WWI surplus saddle seats. For those that rebuild and/or restore these saddle to use, these stirrup loops are safety concern - the hard brass straps that hold these to the tree tend to cut into the softer cast brass loops with use, and will eventually need replacement in order to prevent a potentially disasterous failure.  

Something New - Image of an interesting experimental hardware setup on a M1904 circa 1918 - this was developed to address the problem of heavy items, such as canteens, rifles & scabbards, etc., from pulling the rings out of the saddletree (a very common problem)...never adopted. (images courtesy RIA Museum).