Forums at Society of the Military Horse

David,

They probably spent too much on the tank!.
The Military History Workshop say they have been suppliers to the film, though may not have been much. Their reproduction equipment always looks accurate,

John.

David, If you only saw the film once you were certainly observant. At least some of the sword blades in the charge did look made of flexible material. The commanding officer did appear to use the point of his sword once!. The film makers must have been making some savings on omitting wallets and oth...

Very interesting.

Jim, I watched the film once and was not aware of any errors. I can only comment re the British equipment. I intend to watch it again and also pause it now and again to look more carefully at the tack and bits. My first impression was that the bits looked correct. I would be interested as to which B...

On the uniform details of the film, I have a question for our knowledgeable British participants. In the practice charge taking place in the UK in 1914, the cavalrymen turn out in a blue uniform. They were earlier shown wearing their "khaki" uniform, so we presume they're turned out in a ...

This saddle frame came "from the depths of Europe" some years ago. Acquired it at a car boot fair, probably came from Romania or Hungary. Doubt whether it's military. Assembled with wood dowels. No sign of fixing points for girth or stirrup leathers. I love the look of this - as if someon...

This saddle frame came "from the depths of Europe" some years ago. Acquired it at a car boot fair, probably came from Romania or Hungary. Doubt whether it's military. Assembled with wood dowels. No sign of fixing points for girth or stirrup leathers.

Good point unclearthur and interesting saddle, Jack.

John.

The following information acknowledges useful comments made by Paul Dawson and Rob Wolters...members of the Napoleonic Series site. Paul Dawson... "The 1796 saddle was a universal saddle for both light and heavy cavalry. Haythornwaite is at error. The Hungarian saddle was not officially adopte...

Interesting feedback. But, like, Dusan, I am also intrigued by Major Williams' English light cavalry sabre.The civil war cavalry may well have been using English cavalry 1821 and 1853 pattern swords but these had 35 and 1/2 ins long blades and slightly curved. Major Williams being an officer may wel...

Thanks for that interesting and informative posting. Gives me more to think about.
I have a fair knowledge of British cavalry saddles from 1856 to the present, with examples of most patterns...but am trying to find out more about the pre 1856 saddles.

You are of course right, Uncle Arthur. I had made a careless observation. When mounted, the stirrup leather would half twist to place the loops and buckle in front of and away from the rider's boot with the smooth side of the leather against the riders boot.

John,
I wonder if the museum staff have attached the stirrup leathers back to front?. The additional folds of leather could then help protect leather against sabre cuts?.
I thought this was the purpose of buckling at the stirrup, with folds.
John.M.

That's nice Pat, but a bit modern, technically armoured cavalry though. The thread isn't for the faint-hearted, being 83 pages at the minute, so make the tea / coffee first. If that sort of thing interests you you can go upwards in the same forum and find the Pre-WW2 Vehicle section which has other...

I had a "battle" downloading this pic. And its appeared large and a bit fuzzy!. Anyway, note the iron reinforcements that the British Hussar saddles were said not to have.

A French Hussar saddle ...presumably of the Napoleonic era...in the Musee de l'Armee, Paris. [img][/url][/img]

One interesting point made in previous posting is that the arches of the British saddles were not reinforced with with iron..unlike the French version. (assuming this observation was accurate).
The Royal Armouries example has iron reinforced arches.

The following information acknowledges useful comments made by Paul Dawson and Rob Wolters...members of the Napoleonic Series site. Paul Dawson... "The 1796 saddle was a universal saddle for both light and heavy cavalry. Haythornwaite is at error. The Hungarian saddle was not officially adopted...

Your efforts are much appreciated, John.

Thanks, John.M.

John, I was just puzzled at the way the arches are shaped. Looking through my file of foreign ..to the UK...saddles I came across an excellent photo of a French early light cavalry wood arch saddle. This is in the Musee de l'Armee, Paris and is very similar to the Prussian saddle, but the arches loo...