Restoration Projects

Military saddlery restoration can be a very expensive proposition it you were to go to most saddle and tack maker/repair shops - not because of the skills or materials required - just the time needed to do the job right.

Here is where we'll look at some tips and techniques, as well as present actual projects for you to see, from start to finish. 

The Ol' Dirty McClellan - restoring that nasty barnhanger

A Civil War Officer's Style Saddle - by J.L.Simpkins

The Sources Page

This is where to find the materials needed to successfully restore or build your own McClellan saddle - everything from hardware and leather,stirrups to saddletrees.

Cleaning & Refinishing

Tips and techniques for proper cleaning and refinishing of working McClellans and similar leather items. Great old Army tech manual reproduced here.

The following are simple examinations of original artifacts to show how they were actually constructed.  Materials, techniques and processes are detailed.

German Cavalry Saddle - photos of a German cavalry saddle from 1928.