Forums at Society of the Military Horse

Years later, but that's how attention to details sometimes works - Capt. Ash was attached to the 2nd US Cavalry in April 1861. The 2nd Cavalry - Regulars.

Note his mention of a bit attached to the noseband (he calls 'curb strap') of the 2nd US issued bridle.

The only thing he could literally be ...

If you're interesting in what profanely over-produced saddlery looks like, the National Archives has a great collection of photographs taken during WW1 at various contractors, showing the various steps in making up saddlery, as well as showing the workshops these workers had to endure.

https ...

Fought with myself for some time, and decided it's just better left as is.

Of note - I did some measurements, and the strap is 1 and 1/4" wide, cut and finished to that width, complete with crease from edger tool. But the standing loop and stitching are standard arsenal/contractor grade work ...

There was some discussion and comparison photos of McClellans and the new 1912 pattern, and they pointed to 'bridging' problem with the McClellan.

The odd thing is that they seems to have used a SINGLE HORSE for these measurements and comparisons. Certainly the back form they used was made with a ...

Here is a collage photo of the plaster casting process that was done for the 1912 Cavalry Board to determine the 'best' shape for saddle sidebars. Not sure they were firing on all statistical cylinders, so to speak.

Lovely work - appreciate that you showed the actual dragoon issue version, and not the old Duncan repair version.

Good question. Would I be correct in assuming that the picket pin production would likely have ceased in that 1910 time frame, with the potential of a new Cavalry Board being seated, along the same lines as the 1910 Infantry Board intent on equipment modernization?

These just don't strike me as ...

Looks like US Ordnance Dept stamp.

I’ve seen this nearly exact stamp on the very infrequent M1904 saddle stirrup loop - I’m sure others have seen it in other places…

Lady astride - how risque!

Well, by 1922, probably not so much, though I'm sure there was some judgey looks from the oldsters.

Note in the QMD specification drawings from 1920 show the measurement being taken from the top of the bit branches. This was ALWAYS the method used to measure 1909 bits, as shown in this Nov 1911 Rock Island specification drawing. It can be a bit confusing as people assume that it refers to the ...

Here is best shot of those you sent - something was odd with those images so that forum wouldn't post - I'll have to investigate that.

This is definitely a Weymouth bit, nearly identical to military bits - although it might be nickel and not steel. However, it is not a military issue bit. Note ...

Guessing it looks a lot like this one: The 'BTC' are contractor marks for 'Bridgeport Tool Company' , iirc , a prominent WW1 US contractor. The 'US' marking shows US military issue, and numeric mark is the size code ( 1 to 4 ). The contractor mark is usually found on the outer surface where the ...

Hello all!

I thought I would present a leather treatment puzzle to everyone, and see what sorts of ideas and possible solutions others might have for this particular dilemma. This dry leather issue seems common enough that many people have had to deal with it, or will deal with it in some future ...

All the more interesting as it looks like he's riding a stock saddle, fitted with hooded stirrups. Looks like a BIG horse too.

Plus these are static poses - this might be an affectation, rather than a reasonable depiction of the person's actual riding form.

For everyone's information, our old friend Dallas Freeborn passed away on April 8th. Here is one of the published obituaries:

https://www.penwellgabeltopeka.com/Obit ... /Topeka-KS

I'm going to make an assumption that you're (quite naturally!) confusing the Officers 1917 with the ENLISTED 1917 -

M1917 OFFICERS saddles were made in large numbers, by a variety of makers. Rock Island Arsenal made their version, Jeffersonville QMD made them from about the mid-20s, and many, MANY ...

Nice saddle! As you've determined, this is a French-made Model of 1917 officers saddle, which were made and imported into this country by officers returning from WW1, and later directly ordered from the firms in France through the '20s and '30s. The various tags/markings show that it was likely ...

1880-90s vintage commercial Texas saddletree with a collar leather cover, perhaps to give it a martial air. The rings seem to be identical to first pattern M1885 McClellans, so I look to that to assist in date range.

More interesting is that this is nearly a spitting image of the leather covered ...

Philip S wrote: Sun Nov 29, 2020 6:50 am On the bottom left corner the label is marked with the date 1-83.

Good eye - and that was the last revision date on the tag form.... Probably some drill's old hat.