What kind of saddle is ths?

[Old-South]

http://cgi.ebay.com/1830s-ARTILLERY-VALISE-SADDLE-BRASS-TRIM-PRE-CIVIL-WAR_W0QQitemZ360167246322QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item53dba409f2

Thoughts on identifying this one?
Jeff

[csabugler]

I'm thinking some sort of civilian wagon saddle , other than the rounded skirts. I don't see any sort of coat strap attachments that would be more common on military, IMHO.
Patrick/Pete

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Initally it reminds me of a British Artillery saddle (see my Mounted Images III folder on my profile page, posted for this thread only), but I'm not sure... Pat may be right, it could be a wagon saddle with cut down skirts, although I've not ever seen a center seam wagon saddle before. TEH

[Ken Knopp]

From my opinion I agree with Zack. It likely "is what it says it is" or at least, very close. Given its small seat, leather cut, brass overlay and hardware I believe it to be an artillery valise saddle of some kind but I do not believe it is the 1832 pattern or, at least not one made way back at that time. Too nice. Maybe its a post war American militia, British, European or (?) whatever. I do not know. Just my thoughts. Maybe someone more versed than I in the broader spectrum of all 19th and 20th century artillery/military saddles can comment?


Ken R Knopp