French saddle, bridle, and French 75

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Joseph Sullivan
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Couvi, this is your milieu, not mine -- a French -language site based in France, which seems to be mostly about the French 75 field gun. That gets you coming and going, my Francophone, artillery-expert friend.

http://canonde75modele1897.blogspot.com ... selle.html

I got there by tracking down images of the bridle on that page. Years ago I picked up a military looking bridle. No idea where I got it. Anyway, nobody I know including the worthies who frequent this website, could identify it. I nearly gave up and called it civilian, but the construction, and the presence of that spare curb chain convinced me that it was for someone with long field service in mind. Today I figured it out -- it is the French M 1874.

Now, as if we needed further confirmation of the French influence on the US cavalry, look at two things: a) the little D-ring attachment points that allow for conversion from curb bridle to double bridle, a la the US M 1909; and b) the pommel pockets on that saddle.

It is fun to finally break through on an ID like this. Now I am sure it is French military i need to blindly feel my way to see if it cold be a later odel (sure looks the same as the drawing, though).
Ralph Lovett
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This is a link for the complete French Army horse saddle, harness and drawn equipment manual:

http://www.lovettartillery.com/French_A ... _WW1_.html

R/
Ralph Lovett
Joseph Sullivan
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Interesting. This makes things a bit more clear, although I suspect the first link was created on the basis of the manual you sent. Having the bradoon on chains with toggles is a new idea to me.
Todd
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Bradoon with chains - longtime continental pattern, I think. Was likely the primary influence that directed US watering bridle design, until those innovatin' yanks started putting spring snaps on them...
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1859 watering bridle - courtesy US Cavalry Museum
Couvi
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It explains where our girth designs came from.
Todd
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Explains where a LOT of stuff came from....
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Instruction for field artillery, horse and foot / compiled by a board of artillery officers.
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009737323
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