M1859 McClellan / CW pattern roller buckles

M1859 McClellan / CW pattern roller buckles

The common iron ‘barrel buckle’, or roller buckle, was referenced in the U.S. Ordnance Manual and other specifications for civil war horse equipment, such as the McClellan, the various artillery items, and quartermaster harness. A truly popular form of buckle hardware for leather straps and belts, it’s still very common today. The exact style of…

Civil War McClellan Pommel Shields

Civil War McClellan Pommel Shields

Like so many details of American military horse equipment, these details can be traced to European influences – even to the small small brass decorative fittings.  Pommel ornaments or ‘shields’ are a fixture of US military saddles going all the way back to the first Ringgold dragoons saddles (circa 1841-42).   A natural solution for reinforcing…