Included in this lot is an 1859 McClellan U.S. Calvary, salesman sample style saddle by George Lambert. The McClellan saddle was a riding saddle designed by George B. McClellan, a career Army officer in the U.S. Army. The saddle was designed after his tour of Europe as a member of a military commission charged with studying the latest developments in engineer and cavalry forces, including field equipment. Based on his observations, McClellan proposed a design that was adopted by the Army in 1859. The McClellan saddle was a success and continued to be used in various forms until the US Army's last horse cavalry and horse artillery was dismounted late in World War II. Today, the McClellan saddle is used by ceremonial mounted units in the US Army. In April 1855, six years before the start of the Civil War, Captain George B. McClellan sailed to Europe as part of a military commission to study developments in European tactics, weaponry, and logistics. McClellan's focus was the organization of engineer troops and cavalry. After his one year tour, during which time McClellan observed several battles of the Crimean War, McClellan brought back almost 100 books and manuals, which he read before writing his report. His report concluded with his proposed manual for American cavalry, adapted from existing Russian cavalry regulations. The piece was handmade by George Lambert of Lambert Custom Leather of Hutchinson, Minnesota. The saddle has an 8" seat and measures approximately 3.5" at the gullet.