Jeffs QM Depot

[Steve Haupt]

Greetings,
I have been given a saddle that carries the plate of having been repaired at Jeffs QM Depot.
The stamped date is the interesting part...12/3/1945.This saddle came from the estate of Willaim H. Parker the former Chief of the LAPD.The seat appears to be pig skin (don't laugh) and the cantle is nailed with brass brads.I can see the similarities in style to my used, worn out, and probably beyond repair Armesattle.
This one (US) has the d's for equipment with the front d's cut off. On the inside of the kneeroll skirt is stamped US with three more stamps 1/3 the size with JQMD,1945,N.E.S..
So the questions raised are...Cavalry equipment repairs 1945? Who was N.E.S.?Was this contracted work or civilain working for the War Department? Value?
Now almost sixty years later a very nice saddle.
Cheers,
Steve Haupt
http://HauptsValleyFarm.mystarband.net

[George Clark]

Steve,
What you have is a Phillips M1936 Officers Saddle. It appears to be in excellent condition. The late repair date on the brass disc is not unusual. I own a Phillips that was manufactured at J.Q.M.D. in 1948. Many officers used these saddles well after WW2 for recreation. In most cases any repairs needed would have ben done by saddlers working for the government at the Jefferson Quartermaster Depot. These repair tags would indicate the day month and year of the repair. N.E.S. was most likely the initials of the inspector of the original saddle upon completion or of the replacement parts of the repair to the saddle. The two socket plugs on the pommel that cover the holes that accept the sockets of the pommel bags are a definate plus. They are fairly rare and are seldom found with the saddles. The two missing d's from the front of the fenders were to attach a breast strap when needed and are not difficult to replace if you choose to. As to value, from the two photos shown, with the pommel plugs, all three sets of girth straps under the fenders and with the proper stirrups and straps, I would estimate somewhere between $650-800. Nice saddle!
Best, George.

[Sam Cox]

also mounted units in occupied Germany and austria rode Philips saddles as well as macs,Stateside these saddles saw service with Battery A 4th FA and the 35th QM Company(pack)

[Todd]

No laughing at pigskin - that's exactly what the seat portion of some of the best saddles are (were) made with. No mean trick finding saddle-grade pigskin these days, that's for sure.

These plates were pretty commonly used in repairs, and may have been a bit of 'marketing' on the part of a soon to be eliminated portion of the depot functions. The latest date I've seen or heard of for these repair plates is 1948.

If anyone has seen later dates than 1948, I'd love to hear about those.

[Jim Bewley]

Todd is correct about the pig skin being good and not found much anymore. It is really a shame.

Jim

[Steve Haupt]

Greetings,
Thank you George for the description and information.Todd and Jim you are both correct about finding pigskin. @5 years ago when I was building harness it was a speciality item.
Since I don't have the leathers, irons or girth for this saddle would someone be interested in making me an offer for it?
I'd even trade for good harness military or civilian.
Cheers,
Steve Haupt
http://HauptsValleyFarm.mystarband.net

[Sam Cox]

The parachute webbing girth in this pic is JQMD 1948

will take a better pic later