This is the exact same saddle pictured in CONFEDERATE SADDLES & HORSE EQUIPMENT by Ken R. Knopp on page 72 in the lower right hand corner. According to Steve's tag this saddle came from an old GAR hall in New Hampshire. Researcher's attribute these saddles as having been made by the Confederate States shops in Clarksville, Virginia. The production in Clarksville supplied the Richmond Arsenal. Published information indicates that the Richmond Arsenal supplied approximately 69,418 cavalry saddles from various manufacturers during the war.

Attached to the saddle is the original zinc shield with the letters CS. Interestingly the escutcheons are all made from the same zinc material as the shield differing from brass found on other saddles. Overall the saddle is in good condition with wear usually associated with use in the field The rawhide is in good condition with some splitting in the sewn seams from shrinkage. The leather side flaps are intact and attached with metal screws. All of the iron attachment rings are somewhat lighter than those often seen on Yankee saddles of the period. The stirrups appear to be period bent wood stirrups with leather shields attached with 3 rivets on each side.The condition and wear match the rest of the saddle but I am not sure they are original to the saddle. The saddle comes with a girth that appears to be from a later period and added for display purposes.

Seldom seen and extremely rare and published Confederate saddle from a famous Civil War collection.

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