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Top view
of bare RIA Whitman saddletree - note the formed sheet steel pommel head. This is a
post 1908 photo of the type referred to as a McClellan/Whitman, as it had the rounded
cantle w/o the characteristic "spoon" cantle support. |
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Bottom
surface of RIA Whitman tree, with view of rawhide lacing grooves for the cantle (none for
pommel), and the under-pommel reinforcing steel strap. |
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Side/Rear
view of Whitman saddletree. Interesting details include the formed single-piece
cantle arch (similar to McClellan, being riveted to sidebars and cantle), and the long
saddlebag stud affixed directly to the arch. |
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Bottom
view of rawhide covered RIA Whitman saddletree. All lacing seams are located on the
bottom surface. |
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Side view
of a McClellan/Whitman with the typical fixed quarterstrap assembly shown. This was
the most typical of the Whitman configurations, and was standard for Whitmans produced up
to @1908 |
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Around
1908 (the time of the introduction of adjustable rigging for the McClellan pattern), this
adjustable rigging configuration was introduced by the RIA. The front and rear loops
that the quarterstraps are suspended from are identical to stirrup strap loops. |
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Complete
view of the RIA Whitman officers saddle with adjustable rigging. |
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Complete
view of the RIA Whitman officers saddle with fixed rigging. |
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Illustration
plate used for Ordnance Memoranda #17?? describing the regulation Whitman officers
saddle, shown with fixed rigging. |
Support the SMH!)
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