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"You call that a gun? This is a gun!"

Model 1918 Rifle Scabbard. It's only a slight modification of the M1904 Scabbard. Notice the narrowed end of the scabbard as compared to the wider end on the M1904.
Rick T.

Interesting. That numeral "2", is reminiscent of the italic type face found in the period leather marking kit. I wonder if someone was trying to mark it as unit property using that kit.

I've got a pretty decent Colt Bisley that letters to Simmons. What weren't they involved in?

Interesting, Todd. I was not aware of the labor source of the contractor made saddle trees, or the international economic impact of this little niche of equipment production. Were any of the prisoners utilized for leather work?

Todd, Interesting observation. I'm a big believer that there were design implementations that were incorporated that were never formally board certified in production horse equipments. Problems reared their ugly head as production went along and if it was a simple fix, it appears that changes were i...

On closer examination, I still don't necessarily see the seat of the bags, and think one can see grass where the seat should be. As for the two straps, could they possibly be cooling straps that would be used to hold the blanket on the back of a hot horse as he cooled down? The heavy ribbing of the ...

Couvi, These are the russet M1904 Saddle Bags, probably post 1908 manufacture, when the seat was changed from a single piece to two halves sewn together with reinforcing pieces in the center to prevent the saddle bag stud hole from ripping out. I can't see the center area of the seat to know for sur...

Thanks for posting these, Pat. I asked that these be posted because this just isn't an example of a common Civil War period carbine thimble, but one reissued during the Indian Wars period. Notice the "D.C.L.", inspector's stamp. D.C. Leonard was a civilian worker in the harness shop at Roc...

Thanks, Pat.

I am sure it is an impressive work. Can't wait to get a copy. Is there any particular source that you recommend?
Rick T

I've never diddled with an Audley other than to hold a couple. There is a spring tensioned brass knob that sticks through the trigger guard that secures the pistol into the holster. I don't know how to defeat the knob to enable the pistol to be drawn. It does appear that the pistol does remain uncov...

Definitely an Audley holster. Most of the Audleys found are for the smaller, M1903(8) type Colt autos. This large one for the M1911 is nice to see. Also notice the bit on his bridle. Very similar to the 1850s dragoon bits, but not quite.
Rick T

Thanks for sharing the photos, Kurt. Such a rare piece!
Rick T

Pat,
The pommel makes me think it to be one of the Whitman types.
Rick T

See photograph of Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant and Alexander Hays during the Mexican War: http://www.vahistorical.org/collections-and-resources/virginia-history-explorer/lee-and-grant/war Interezting photo partially showing hays' spanish saddle. Interesting shabraque cover obscures lot of detail tho...

Kurt, Great pics. I hope you realize that you look very much like your great grandfather. No denying that relationship! As for me, I had a great uncle, John Smallwood, who was an NCO attached to a "colored" (black) regiment. I don't know what his capacity was with the unit. I do know they ...

I recently have been reading a series of contemporary accounts of the campaign surrounding the Ghost Dance craze, the fight at Wounded Knee, Drexel Mission, et al., in the Peter Cozzens' volume in "EYEWITNESSES TO THE INDIAN WARS". It was a campaign to which I had never paid too much detai...

OK, George. I'll bite. What's it translate to? I understand the Infantry crossed rifles and the "3" and "HQ". The rest, "A.F.G.", not so much. I've got a horse cover that has an interesting marking it took a while for me to figure out. It was a crossed cannon for artill...

Pat, A half-section of Gatlings were used at the Sand Hill Fight against a group of Southern Cheyennes, near Fort Reno/Darlington Agency in Oklahoma, in 1874. The site of the fight was only two miles from the actual post of Fort Reno, so it wasn't much of a stretch to get the guns out there. Lots of...