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CHAPTER SIXTH.
ARTILLERY HARNESS
Leather
Buckles, Loops, &c
Head- Gear
BRIDLE OF THE NEAR HORSE
HEADSTALL
BIT
REINS
BRIDLE FOR THE OFF HORSE
HALTER
Driver's Saddle
SADDLE-TREE.-WOOD
SEAT
PARTS IN LEATHER, ETC., OF THE BODY OF THE SADDLE
SKIRTS
STIRRUPS
GIRTHS
Valise-Saddle
SADDLE-TREE.--WOOD
IRON
SEAT
SKIRTS
GIRTHS
Valise
Draught-Harness
THE COLLAR
THE HAMES
TRACES
BELLY-BAND
CRUPPER
BREECHING
POLE-PAD
WHIP
LEG-GUARD
NOSE-BAG
ARTILLERY HARNESS. (Plate 21.)
The construction of the field-carriages requires a harness
different, in some respects, from that of common wagons. The limber having no sweepbar,
the pole is supported directly by the wheel-horses, by means of a chain which connects the
hames with the pole-yoke of the limber; and, in order to diminish the weight at the end of
the pole, the leading-bars are dispensed with, the traces of the leaders being attached to
those of the wheel-horses.
The same harness is perfectly adapted also to the siege-carriages; but, as these are
arranged for draught in the ordinary manner, common wagon harness may be used with them if
necessary.
Leather.
Leather is generally divided into two kinds: 1st, that which is
tanned and undergoes no further preparation; and, 2d, that which is tanned and is
afterwards curried. The former includes all made from the heavier skins of the larger
animals, as buffaloes,, oxen, and cows, into thick, strong soleleather, and the latter
that made from the thinner skins of horses, cows, calves, sheep, etc., into harness,
bridle, upper, bag, or pouch leather which differ from each other only in thickness, the
first being the thickest. There are other kinds besides these, designated from the mode of
preparation, as tawed leather, such as white kid or sheepskin, prepared with alum and
salt; buckskin and buff leather, so called from the fact that the buffalo and deer skins
were first most commonly dressed in this way; patent leather, that which has been
varnished. It is sometimes distinguished by its color, as black, fair, or russet
leather. Leather which has been a long time in tanning is to be preferred to that which
has been produced more rapidly. The quality is judged of by its appearance; a
cross-section should be glistening and marbled, without any white streaks in the middle.
It should be firm, compact, and pliant.
The actual strength of leather depends more on its quality than on its thickness. That
made from bulls' hides should be rejected: it is thick and supple, but, like that made
from the legs and flanks of other skins, it is spongy, without strength or endurance, and,
if only slightly rumpled, the hair-side presents a shrivelled appearance, which it
retains.
The different parts of harness, except straps and the like, are cut out by means of
patterns. The seams are made with strong waxed thread, in double stitch, with about eight
stitches to the inch: those along an edge are from 0.15 to 0.2 inch from the edge. The
ends of the thread should be securely fastened before they are cut off. The awl used
should be small for the thread.
Buckles, Loops, &c.
The buckles of the bridle and stirrup leather, and the loops for the cloak and valise
straps on the driver's and valise saddles, are cast brass, with rollers; and the hook and
loop on the pommel of the valise-saddle is brassplated. They are designated by numbers.
(See table, page 164.) All other buckles, loops, and staples are of wrought iron japanned,
(black.) The iron buckles are all made with rollers; the tongues are the same size as the
sides of the buckles.
Straps, or other pieces which have buckles or iron loops attached to them, are doubled on
a length generally equal to twice their width, to receive the buckle or loop, which is
fastened by two seams. The double end is shaved down.
Standing-loops-are placed close to the buckles. Their ends are shaved down, brought
together, and fastened between the two parts of the strap, if it is doubled, by the same
seam. These loops are usually of the same leather as the strap.
The tongue-holes for buckles are made with a punch corresponding to the size of the
tongue. Their distance apart is generally equal to the width of the strap, and the first
hole is at double that distance from the end of the strap. This end is shaved down and
reduced in width, to facilitate its entrance into the buckle.
NOTE.-A layer is a piece of leather sewed upon another piece, to strengthen it.
A chape is a piece used to fasten a buckle or loop to a strap or other piece of leather.
A billet is a strap which enters a buckle.
A safe is a piece of leather placed under a buckle, etc., to prevent it from chafing.
Composition.-A complete set of artillery harness is composed as
follows :- Head-gear. Driver's saddles, the same for all the near horses. Valise saddles
and valise, common for all the off horses. Draught harness, differing according as it is
intended for the wheel or lead horses. One w/up is allowed to each driver, and one
leg-guard to each driver of wheel-horses.
Head- Gear.
The head-gear is made of strong, black bridle-leather, not less
than 0.1 inch thick. The buckles of the bridle are brass-plated or cast brass; of the
halter, iron.
BRIDLE OF THE NEAR Horse,--It is composed of the headstall, bit, and pair ofreins.
HEADSTALL.--One crown-piece, the ends split form 2 billets for the buckles of the
cheek-straps and 2 billets for the buckles of the throat-lash.
1 brow-band: the ends, doubled and sewed, form loops for the crownpiece to pass through; 2
ornaments, (brass,) circles 1.8 inch in diameter, raised in the centre, on a circle of
leather 2.25 inches in diameter, fastened on the loop of the brow-band by passing the end
of the brow-band, before being sewed, through an iron wire loop soldered to the ornament,
the iron loop passing between the two billets of the crown-piece.
1 throat-lash, with 1 buckle No. 10 B and 1 standing-loop at each end.
2 cheek-straps: each has 1 buckle No. 8 B and 1 billet sewed to the lower end, flesh-side
to flesh-side, with 2 standing-loops, to attach it to the bit; at the upper end 1 buckle
No. 8 B, with one standing and one sliding loop to fasten it to the crown-piece.
BIT, (iron forged and brass-plated.)-2 cheek-pieces, curved in shape of 8 and pierced at
top with an eye, to receive the cheek-billet and a hole for the curb-chain: at its lower
end an eye for the reins, and near the mouth-piece a stud, through which is inserted a
ring No. 2 for the reins; 1 mouth-piece: its ends pass through the cheek-pieces, and are
riveted and rounded 1 cross-bar, riveted to the cheek-pieces; 1 curb-chain, (iron tinned,)
of 13 links, diminishing in size from the middle towards the end:
it is attached to the right cheek-piece by an S-coldshut, and to the left cheek-piece by a
hook.
Bits are made of three sizes, in the width between the cheek-pieces,- viz., 4 7/8 inches,
5 inches, and 5 1/4 inches; about three-fifths being of the medium size.
REINS.--2 reins: each rein has a buckle No. 8 B and a billet sewed to one end, flesh-side
to flesh-side, with 2 standing-loops, for attaching it to the bit; the reins are united by
a buckle No. 8 B, with 1 standing and 1 sliding loop on the shore rein, to receive the
billet of the other; the near rein is shorter by 12 inches than the off one.
BRIDLE FOR THE OFF HORSE.--The same as the bridle for the near horse, with the addition of
1 coupling-strap, which has 1 billet and 1 buckle No. 8 B sewed on each end, with 1
standing-loop at one end and 2 standing-loops at. the other; it is attached to the off
ring of the bit, and passes through the near ring.
HALTER.--1 crown-piece, having a billet at each end for the buckles of the cheek-straps; 2
cheek-straps,--each has 1 buckle No. 6; 1 standing and 1 sliding loop at one end, the
other end is sewed to 1 iron loop No. 3; 1 brow-band, the ends doubled and sewed, form
loops for the crown-piece and throat-lash to pass through; 1 nose-band, the ends sewed to
the same loops as the cheek-straps; 2 chin-straps: each is made of one piece doubled and
sewed together with two seams the whole length: it holds in the fold at one end the square
iron loop of the cheek-strap, and at the other, the rear, 1 square iron loop No. 8; 1
throat-strap, made of one piece doubled and sewed together with two seams the whole
length, forming at the upper end a loop to receive the throat-lash, and holds in the fold
at the other end the square iron loop of the chin-straps; 1 throat-lash; 1 buckle No. 8; 1
standing and 1 sliding loop at the end, on the near side: it passes through the loops in
the brow-band and throat-strap.
1 hitching-strap, 6 1/2 feet long; 1 buckle No. 6; 1 standing-loop; 1 billet, sewed to the
buckle-end by the same seam which holds the buckle.
Driver's Saddle.
It is composed of 1 saddle-tree; 1 seat; different parts of
leather, etc., of the body of the saddle; 2 saddle-skirts; 2 stirrups; 1 girth.
SADDLE-TREE.-WOOD, (beech or ash.)-The saddle-tree consists of 1 pommel, made of two
pieces, notched or halved together at the top of the hollow of the pommel, and glued; 1
cantle, formed of two pieces in the same manner; 2 side bars, with notches to receive the
pommel and cantle, to which they are nailed with 8 nails, each, 4-penny.
Before the irons are put on the tree, it is entirely covered with raw hide, applied green,
sewed on with thongs of the same, and through the side bars near their junction with the
pommel and cantle, in front and rear of each.
Grooves are made in the under side of the side bars to receive the thongs, that they may
not project and chafe the horse's back.
Iron.-2 stirrup-bars, the front end riveted to the pommel and the rear end to the side
bar; 2 iron staples No. 1, driven through, one from the front to the pommel, and the other
from the rear of the cantle, and clenched.
SEAT.-1 girth-webbing, the middle of its length nailed double on the pommel over the
hollow: the two ends separated and stretched strongly and nailed on the front of the
cantle. 1 canvas, (strong hemp,) to cover the webbing, stretched across the girth-webbing,
the ends nailed on the side bars and on the edge of the pommel and cantle; 1 cotton
drilling, drawn over the canvas and nailed in the same way; cotton batting, stuffed
between the linen and the cotton drilling; 1 leather lining, pasted underneath the webbing
and canvas
PARTS IN LEATHER, ETC., OF THE BODY OF THE SADDLE.-The front of
pommel and rear of cantle are covered with leather glued to the wood and nailed close to
the side bars. The ends of the side bars are covered with harness-leather, which is
fastened by nails close to the pommel and cantle and by 2 finishing-nails on each end of
side bar, driven through from the upper side; 1, seat of goat-skin morocco, lined with
sheep-skin, stuffed with cotton, quilted, and bound round the edges with light morocco,
fastened to the side bars by three finishing nails on each side; 1 pommel-cover,
(bridle-leather,) sewed to the front of the seat, tacked to the lower part of the pommel,
glued on the upper part, and sewed to the leather on the front of pommel by a seam along
the top edge of pommel; 1 cantle-cover, sewed to the rear end of the seat, the lower part
tacked to the side bars, the upper part glued to the cantle and sewed to the leather on
the rear part of the cantle by a seam around the edge of the cantle; 1 pommel-moulding,
(brass,) covering the seam, fastened by 2 iron and 2 brass nails; 1 cantle-ornament,
(brass,) shape of a shield, fastened by 3 brass nails; 1 pommel-ornament, (brass,) shape
of a shield, fastened by 3 brass nails; 2 loops No. 7 B, for cloak-straps, driven through
the side bars in rear of the cantle, and riveted 2 billets for trace-loop pass through the
skirts and are nailed to the upper side of the side bars; 1 collar-strap billet, sewed to
the loop on the front of the pommel.
SKIRTS.--2 skirts, (thick harness-leather,) fastened to the under side of the side bars
with glue; the upper end is turned over the side bars and sewed at front and rear to the
covering of ends of side bars.
STIRRUPS.--2 stirrups, (cast brass;) 2 stirrup-straps pass over the stirrup-bars; 1 buckle
No. 4, with 3 standing-loop., sewed to the thin end of the strap, which is doub1ed and
stitched on a length of 8 inches, where it passes through the eye of the stirrup.
GIRTHS.--1 girth, (light bridle-leather,) made in two parts of unequal lengths: each part
is made of double thickness by folding the leather in the direction of its length,
bringing the two edges together in the middle and fastening them with a seam the whole
length. The long part has a buckle No. 4, and chape, with 8 standing-loops; it passes
through the skirt from underneath, and is nailed to the upper side of the side bars on the
off side. The short part has a billet sewed to it; it is nailed, in the same manner as the
long part, on the near side.
Valise-Saddle.
The valise-saddle, placed on the off-horse, is used to carry the
driver's valise, but in case of emergency can be used to ride upon. It is composed of 1
saddle-tree; 1 seat; different parts of leather, etc., of the body of the saddle; 2
saddle-skirts: 1 girth.
SADDLE-TREE.--WOOD.--The same as that of the driver's saddle, except in the dimensions.
IRON.-1 hook for the reins, (brass-plated,) with loop for billet of the collar-strap
attached, is driven through the pommel from the front, and clenched; 1 iron staple No. 1,
for the crupper-strap, driven in the cantle from the rear, and clenched.
4 brass loops No. 7 B, for valise-straps, driven one in each end of the side bars, and
riveted.
SEAT.-1 leather seat, stretched and nailed to the pommel, cantle, and side bars; 1 cotton
drilling, drawn over the leather seat and nailed in the same way; cotton batting, stuffed
between the cotton drilling and leather seat.
PARTS IN LEATHER, ETC., OF THE BODY OF THE SADDLE.-The same as for the driver's saddle,
with the addition of 2 valise-straps, each has 1 buckle No. 8, 1 standing and 1 sliding
loop; 1 crupper-strap, made of two thicknesses, stitched, embracing in the fold at one end
the iron loop on the cantle, and at the other end an iron loop No. 5, with roller for the
back strap of the crupper. The same crupper answers for either saddle.
SKIRTS - The same, except in dimensions, as those for the driver's saddle.
GIRTHS.--1 girth, (leather,) has 1 buckle No. 6, and 8 standing-loops, fastened to a
layer; the girth is sewed to the near skirt of the saddle; 1 billet sewed to the
off-skirt.
Valise.
The valise is cylindrical, 18 inches long, with a flat bottom.
VALISE, (thick bridle-leather.)--1 body; 1 body-lining, (cotton ticking,) pasted to the
body; 2 ends, made of 2 thicknesses of leather, sewed together with one seam near the
outer edge; 2 end-linings, (cotton ticking,) pasted to the ends; 1 inner flap, with 6
slits for wire staples sewed to the body, covering the mouth of valise; 1 strap, 1 chape
and buckle No. 9, sewed to the opposite ends of body; the strap passes through the iron
staples and holds down the inner flap; 6 iron-wire staples No. 8 pass through the body,
are bent and held in place by a strip of leather sewed over their ends; 8 chapes and
buckles No. 9, and 8 standing-loops, sewed to the body for the billets on the cover; 2
handles, (leather, rounded,) sewed into the ends between the two thicknesses; 2 loops, 1
inch wide, sewed to the bottom of the body, for the valise-straps to pass through; 1
cover; 1 cover-lining, larger than the, cover, sewed to it around its outer edge, forming
a pocket: it has an opening in the middle, which is closed with strings:
1 binding, thin leather, sewed around the edge of cover; 8 billets, sewed to the cover to
fasten it down.
Draught-Harness.
THE COLLAR.--Collars are made of two sizes,-17 inches and 20
inches; the measure taken on the inside of the breast.
1 rim, (bridle-leather,) sewed to the belly, stuffed with uncut straw.
1 belly, (upper-leather,) made in two pieces, which lap and are sewed together at bottom,
stuffed with straw cut into pieces not more than of an inch long; 2 chapes and buckles No.
8, 2 billets, sewed to the open ends of the collar and used only to vary the size of the
collar; 1 pad, (black sheep-skin,) stuffed with deer's hair, to protect the horse's neck
from being chafed by the collar-straps; 8 loops, sewed to the pad; two pass over the ends
of the collar, and the collar-strap passes through the other.
THE HAMES, iron, (painted black.)-Two branches, curved; 2 double-joint loops for
trace-tugs, attached to the branches by means of a bolt passing through a stud forged on
the branch: they turn freely on the bolt, and also admit free motion in the opposite
direction; 2 links, for holding up the breast-strap, welded into the eyes of the
joint-loop bolts; 2 rings No. 3, for trussing-straps, welded into the rectangular eyes at
the upper ends of the branches; 1 clasp, made fast to the off branch, connects the
branches at their lower ends; 1 chain and toggle, (3 links No. 4,) welded into the eye of
the clasp, connects the pole-yoke to the hames; 2 loop-rings, 1.75 in. diameter, sewed in
the trace-tugs, for the trace-chains to pass through.
LEATHER.--Two safes, sewed round the branches under the joint-loops, to protect the collar
from being chafed by the trace-tugs; 2 trace-tugs, 0.63 inch thick, made of four
thicknesses of leather stitched together with three seams, embracing in the fold the
joint-loop at one end and the loopring at the other.
Two trussing-straps, each with 1 buckle No. 8, 1 standing and 1 sliding loop. They pass
through the rings in the rectangular eyes of the branches to truss up the harness.
1 hames-strap, with 1 buckle No. 6 and 2 standing-loops, connects the two branches at the
top; 1 collar-strap, having 1 buckle No. 6 and 1 standingloop, passes round the
hames-strap and is buckled to the billet on the pommel of the saddle, to keep the collar
in place.
Traces.
Traces are composed of a leather trace with a chain and toggle attached to each end. They
differ only in the length of the leather trace.
Leather trace, 0.63 inch thick, made of three thicknesses of leather sewed together their
whole length, with two seams; 2 iron loops riveted to the ends of the leather trace with 3
rivets, each 0.25 inch diam. Front trace-chain made of iron .8 inch diameter, 5 links and
1 toggle, attached to the leather trace by the iron loop.
Rear trace-chain.-Thirteen links, four rings, (oval,) and one toggle, of the same-sized
iron and attached in the same manner as the front trace-chain.
BELLY-BAND.--Two trace-loops, made by doubling the leather and sewing the branches
together near one end; 1 buckle No. 6 and 1 standing-loop embraced in the stitched end of
the trace-loop; 1 iron loop No. 5, embraced and playing loose on the bottom of the
trace-loop; 1 belly-strap with 1 buckle No. 6 and 1 standing-loop, sewed to the iron loop
of trace-loop on the off side; 1 belly-strap billet sewed to the iron loop of trace-loop
on the near side and buckling t.o the belly-strap; 1 loin-strap, each end passes into the
buckle of the trace-loop to hold up the traces. The loin-strap for the wheelhorse has 1
layer sewed under its middle, forming a loop through which passes the back-strap of the
crupper: it is shorter than the loin-strap for the lead-horse; 2 trace-loops with 1 buckle
No. 6 and 1 standing-loop, formed as above described.
CRUPPER.--1 dock, formed of a single piece 3.5 inches wide and 14 inches long, doubled
lengthwise and made round, not stuffed: it has 1 buckle No. 9 and 1 standing-loop sewed to
each end; 1 body, the rear end is split into 2 billets for the buckles of the dock, the
other end is sewed to the end of the back-strap; 1 layer 10 inches long, 1 buckle No. 6,
and 4 standing-loops sewed on the front end of the body, leaving an opening in rear of the
back-strap for the hip-strap to pass through; 1 short layer, inserted under the long layer
and in rear of the opening for the hip-strap; 1 back-strap, sewed in between the body and
the long layer, passes through the loop of loin-strap of wheel-harness, through the iron
loop on the saddle, and returns to the buckle on the body of the crupper; 1 sliding-loop
holds the two parts of the back-strap together near the saddle.
Breeching.
1 breech-strap, (thick harness-leather;) 1 layer, thick leather, sewed to the breech-strap
its whole length with 2 seams; 1 buckle No. o and 3 standingloops at each end sewed in the
fold of the breech-strap and layer; 2 iron loops No. 5 and chapes sewed to upper side of
breech-strap; 4 tugs for hipstraps, made of two thicknesses of leather, sewed together
with 2 seams:
each has 1 buckle No. 6 and 3 standing-loops, and embraces in the fold at the other end
the buckle or loops of the breech-strap; 4 safes sewed on the inside of the tugs; 1
hip-strap, split at. each end into two billets, which buckle into the tugs of the
breech-strap; 1 breast-strap 0.63 inch thick in the middle, .5 inch at. the ends, made of
three thicknesses, sewed together with 3 seams: it passes through the iron links on the
hames and the traceloops attached to the saddle, and buckles to the breech-strap; 1
pole-strap, 0.5 inch thick, made of three thicknesses of leather sewed together with two
seams 1 buckle No. 3 and 3 standing-loops, sewed in the folds at one end.
Pole-Pad.
It is placed on the end of the pole to prevent the lead-horses from being injured by the
pole.
IRON.--1 ring, 2.3 inches diameter, 1 inch wide, 0.2 inch thick, with 2 holes for bolt; 1
bolt with small hole for key.
LEATHER.--1 cylindrical body, 1 end, circular, with hole for pole sewed to the body; 1
end, pressed convex, sewed to the other end of body after it is stuffed; 1 innercylinder,
the open end sewed in the hole of the circular end; 1 inner cylinder end, 1
reinforce-cylinder and end sewed together and slipped over the closed end of inner
cylinder; 2 stay-straps, sewed to the body, near the bolt-hole, and nailed over the end of
inner cylinder; hair stuffed in between the inner cylinder and body. The body is pressed
in against the iron ring where the bolt passes through it.
The pole-pad should be taken off from the pole and placed under cover. when the carriage
is not in use.
Whip.
1 stock, (raw hide:) about 30 inches long. The raw hide is first covered with India-rubber
cloth; 1 leather cover, sewed over the India-rubber covering, with a loop in the end well
secured; 1 lash, (thread,) tied to the leather cover; 1 loop for the hand, nailed to the
butt of whip with 2 tacks.
Leg- Guard.
1 body (strong kip leather;) 2 layers, sewed to the upper and lower part
of the body with four seams; 4 leg-straps, 4 buckles No. 10 and 4 standing-loops, sewed to
the body: the billet-ends pass through slits in the body; 1 foot-strap, sewed to the
bottom of the body, at both ends; 1 plate, (iron,) 0.1 inch thick, riveted to the body
with five rivets.
Nose-Bag.
1 body, (strong linen or cotton duck;) 1 bottom,
(harness-leather,) 6 inches diameter, 4 inches deep, pressed in a mould, sewed to the
body; 1 headstrap with 1 buckle No. 8 and 1 standing-loop, sewed to top of the bottom, and
fastened by 2 copper rivets No. 1; sewed to the top of the body and to an inside leather
washer by the same seam, and fastened by 1 copper rivet No. 1; 1 head-strap billet, sewed
to the top of the bottom, and fastened by 2 copper rivets No. 1; sewed to the top of the
body and to an inside leather washer by the same seam, and fastened by 1 copper rivet No.
1. Width. of bag at top, 15 inches; whole height, 15 inches.
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