This is one of the most wonderful artifacts we have ever been able to offer. I originally sold this set back in 2007. At that time, it was in the collection of Dr. Kerry Elliott. If I remember correctly, he had gotten the pieces from Steve Mullinax, author of the Confederate buckle book but I can't find it in my notes. I recently sold a Confederate cannon to a collector in Kentucky and I took these piece in trade. It is not only a superb Confederate manufactured McClellan saddle. This is a Southern made copy of the U.S. Model McClellan saddle. The Confederates copied many of the Union pieces as best they could with what they had to work with. but it has the original Confederate bridle bit with leather intact. This set is as pure as the driven snow with nothing having been touched on either the bit or the saddle. The pigskin seat of the saddle has a beautiful golden tone with the edges having drawn up some from the years in the attic. It has the straps and stirrups still intact and the leather is still in attractive attic shape. The iron bridle bit is the most desirable pattern Confederate collectors hope to find. This is the pattern that was made in England and imported for use by wealthy Confederates. It is the version with the large embossed "C" rosettes on the sides. Both of them are intact with a gorgeous untouched look to the brass. The bit has two pieces that are seldom found intact. These are the leather straps and also the curb chain that is hand forged. The pair is accompanied by my paperwork from 2007 as well as the small tags that came with the set originally were picked up a few days after the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It states that these two pieces were sold at auction in the 1990's as part of the Bond collection. Following Bond's death, his collection was dispersed through an unreserved auction conducted by the Conestoga Auction Company on July 4 and 5, 1994, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. You get the Confederate saddle as well as the original Confederate bridle bit. This set is the end of the road for a Confederate cavalry collector.