1916 Cavalry Equipment Board Report

[Philip S]

“Cavalry Equipment, “ Major C.D. Rhodes, U.S. Cavalry, U.S. Cavalry Journal, April 1916,
pp 532-536

For the past five months the Cavalry Equipment Board has been hard at work at the Rock Island Arsenal, carefully considering the reports received in regard to the present 1912 equipment; and attempting to remedy such defects as practical tests have brought to light.

Although many of the conclusions of the Board are as yet tentative, and in any event will ultimately have to receive the approval of the War Department, the lines of experiment and development by the Board as outlined below will doubtless be of more than ordinary interest to officers of cavalry and field artillery.

1. Polo Saddle: The Board has recommended the adoption of the flat saddle to replace the so-called Ordnance polo saddle and to be possibly called a “training saddle.” Models made at the Arsenal after French types and tried out by expert horseman at the Mounted Service School, have proven very satisfactory as to type, workmanship, and comfort.

2. Officer’s Saddle: Reports as to the 1912 officer’s saddle have in general been adverse to this model, particularly as to the features of hinged side-bars. The Board will, in all probability recommend the adoption of an officer’s service saddle which duplicates the French field saddle, now used by many officers of our service. This saddle will have pommel and cantle-pockets, and the latter can with a few simple alterations be made from the present McClellan pockets. It has been tried out at the Mounted Service School for five years and by many officers under campaign conditions. The Rock Island Arsenal has competed ten beautifully fabricated models for the Equipment Board, and ultimately the Arsenal will be able to supply officers with a saddle, which is considered by the Board the best field saddle in the world.

3. Enlisted Men’s Saddle: As with the officer’s saddle, model 1912, so reports as to the enlisted men’s model have in general been adverse to its adoption particularly as to the hinged side-bars.

The Equipment Board’s first experiments were with a McClellan superstructure upon sidebars similar to the French officer field saddle. While results were satisfactory, later and more encouraging tests have been made with a model nearly similar in outline and form to the French officers field saddle, but like the McClellan having a wooden tree consisting of two side-bars connected at pommel-arch and cantle by steel braces; the whole covered with a fine grade of leather. While similar in outline, it differs from the officer’s saddle in having little or no padding, and has the advantage over the McClellan in not only having a seat more in keeping with the standards of equitation now taught to the service, but by reason of its extended and slightly rounded side-bars, better able to bear the weight of the pack under all conditions of campaign.

This form of saddle has given the Board more anxiety and labor than any other one thing connected with its work, but the Board is now thoroughly convinced that it is working along the correct line of development and hopes that the final model will be the best enlisted men’s saddle in the world. It is actually a McClellan saddle with a French seat and it is believed will not weigh more than the McClellan or exceed the latter in cost–a very important consideration in connection with army increase.

4. Canteen and Mess Kit: By the adoption of a mess-kit somewhat similar to the Preston kit, and combining canteen, mess-pans, tin-cup, knife, fork and spoon in one package the whole can be inserted in pommel-pocket for the spade, curry-comb, brush, etc., devised by the 1912 Board and thus saving the space of one cantle pocket and the expensive device of the 1912 saddle for carrying the spade.

5. Bridle: The present model will probably have a nose band. A combination halter-bridle is not deemed desirable for all purposes.

6. Halter: The Board is making some interesting experiments with a halter made of lariat rope with parts connected by one-piece castings of metal without buckles. The halter has a breaking strength of over 1,400 lbs., and is cheap, neat and very durable.

Experiments with halters of webbing were not entirely satisfactory.

7. Stirrups: Steel stirrups with rounded treads will probably be recommended for officers use in garrison; and leather hooded stirrups for both officers and enlisted men in the field.

8. Saber: Complaints as to the brittleness of the present new model saber will be corrected at the Arsenal. Effort is being made to improve the balance by replacing a portion of the steel grip with aluminum; and making the hilt less clumsy by narrowing it slightly. Its present length and straight blade will probably be retained; and the suggested changes, while making it only half a pound lighter will render it much more handy and of better balance.

9. Stirrup straps: Tests are being made with the Kerr adjustable straps, which dispense with buckles and permit of quick adjustment for the saddle by an easy pull on strap.

10. Rifle Carrier: The Board is not favorable to the Rifle Carrier model 1912; and on the other hand is convinced that with our present rifle, the latter cannot be carried on the saddle without seriously disturbing the balance of the equipment, and rendering in a severe campaign, many mounts unserviceable. Neither the Army nor the Ordinance Department, it is believed is willing to adopt a carbine for the cavalry.

After very serious deliberation the Board is therefore conducing experiments, with the rifle carried on the trooper’s back, as is the case in nearly all the great European armies of today.

After trial of various devices to hold the rifle rigid against the troopers back, the board has found the following most satisfactory: The two sling swivels are removed and reattached to the side of the rifle so that the flat side of the arm comes next to the trooper’s back. At the rear of the right hip, a spring-clip is attached to the ammunition belt, and received in its jaws the small of the rifle-stock.

Present experiments with this method of carrying the rifle have included three weeks trial at the Mounted Service School by the five instructors in equitation, riding at all gaits and jumping all obstacles on the Fort Riley reservation. Also by a squad of five enlisted men (cavalrymen) at Rock Island Arsenal, riding twenty miles a day at the average rate of six miles per hour.

Reports from both officers and soldiers testing the device have so far been highly favorable.

While doubtless much prejudice exists in the cavalry against carrying the rifle on the trooper’s back, the Board has in mind the great need in present campaigns, of conservation of horse flesh; while consideration of the great weight carried by the infantry soldier on his person renders it no hardship for the cavalry man to carry the rifle in similar fashion if will increase his mobility and ultimately usefulness for either mounted or dismounted action.

In this connection, the following interesting quotation from Lord Roberts’ “Forty-one Years in India,” is pertinent:

“It was on this occasion that I first recognized the advantage of having the carbine slung on the trooper’s back while in action, instead of being carried in the bucket, as is the custom with our British cavalry. Several of the enemy’s loose horses were going about with carbines on their saddles, while their dismounted riders were at an enormous disadvantage in trying to defend themselves from their mounted adversaries with only their swords. I saw too, one of Watson’s men saved from a fierce cut across the spine by having his carbine on his back. More recent experience has quite satisfied me that this is the only way this weapon should be carried when actual fighting is going on.”

11. Additional tests by the Board appear to suggest that continuation for cavalry of the cotton cloth bandolier, instead of a proposed woven belt; the discontinuance of the rifle cover and picket pin and possibly of the lariat. For the infrequent occasions when a lariat may be required, it has been proposed to combine the halter tie-rope and cooling strap.

The pistol holster will probably be of short type to be used on belt without swivel; while spurs for both officers and enlisted men will be of the same design as now issued, except with rowels, the officers model to have chain and the enlisted men’s a strap beneath foot.

The Board has had in mind retaining every possible feature of the 1912 equipment which has appeared desirable in tests under service conditions, and there has been much of the greatest merit in the results obtained by the previous Equipment Board.

The present Board’s aim, however, has been to remedy such defects as the latest test under service conditions have proven necessary; to reduce the weight and increase the simplicity of the equipment; and, having in mind the economy necessary in case Congress authorizes a larger army, to reduce the cost of the equipment to an amount consistent with the absolute needs of the service.

[Philip S]

Note that the Board is recommending the official adoption of the French Polo and Officer's saddles ALREADY in private use by Army officers.

[tmarsh]

Are they referring to the 1917 service saddle when they speak of a Mac with a french seat? Tom

[Todd]

Hard to say, Tom. There are at least two, perhaps three possible models that they are referring to. I'd assume the test pattern that was adopted as the M1917 Enlisted saddle, which was never produced in quantity.

Todd

[Philip S]

I found the following references to replacements for the Model 1912 saddle today in The Army and Navy Register:

March 11, 1916, p. 334:

Cavalry Equipment Problems

The board of cavalry officers in session at the Rock Island Arsenal for a general consideration of the model 1912 cavalry equipment has made a recommendation that practically commits itself to abandonment of the hinged side bars, which characterized the saddle adopted in 1912 as a result of recommendations of the previous equipment board. This recommendation is to the effect that the French officers’ saddle, which generally is of a flat type and which has been used extensively at the mounted service school at Fort Riley, Kans., be adopted for officers. This saddle is considered too expensive for issue to enlisted men, and the problem now before the board is the provision of a saddle for them of the same general type as the French officers’ saddle without exceeding a reasonable cost. The board also has made recommendations as to other articles of personal and horse equipment that it has had under consideration. Of course, a change in the saddle will of itself necessitate change in some articles. This chief of staff, however, has decided not to approve any recommendations of the board until its full report is received and considered


May 27, 1916, p. 685

New Cavalry Equipment

Tests of the new saddle for officers, modeled after the French officer’s saddle, as proposed by the cavalry equipment board in session at the Rock Island Arsenal, are being conducted this month at the mounted-service school at Fort Riley, Kans., by Captain Henry R. Richmond, cavalry; First Lieutenant John K. Brown, 2d cavalry, and second Lieutenant Vincent P. Erwin, 6th field artillery, and the officers are reported as much pleased with the saddle. The equipment board has designed a saddle for enlisted men along the same general lines as the officers’ saddles, but of cheaper material, and it has made certain changes in the articles of the pack to conform to the new saddle. Two enlisted men with the new saddles and packs have started from Rock Island on a 500-mile ride, with a view to making 20 miles a day, to test these articles. A previous long ride with the new saddle without the pack demonstrated that the saddle was satisfactory when used alone, and now it is desired to determine its suitability when used with the pack. It is not the intention of the equipment board to make final recommendations as to the saddle, pack, and other articles of personal and horse equipment for mounted troops until satisfactory demonstrations of them are had.


Oct. 7, 1916, p. 458:

New Cavalry Equipment

The work of the cavalry equipment board at the Rock Island Arsenal is nearing completion, and already some preliminary reports have been made. The board has directed its attention particularly to the cavalry saddle with a view to reporting upon the relative merits of various military saddles for the cavalry service, and as well it has considered reports from organization commanders with reference to the model 1912 cavalry equipment, which has been in use for about two years in an experimental way by some twelve squadrons of cavalry and of which 3,200 sets wee manufactured. Adverse reports on some of the articles of the 1912 equipment, particularly as to the saddle, led to appointment of the present equipment board and suspension of manufacture of further sets of equipment. The present board has decided upon a saddle for officers modeled afer the French officers’ saddle, thus discarding the hinged side-bars and some other features of the 1912 saddle, and for enlisted men it will recommend saddle, of cheaper materials modeled along the same general lines as that for officers. The new saddles necessitate changes in articles of equipment. Samples of all articles of equipment in which the board recommends changes are being manufactured, and as soon as they are completed they will be submitted to the chief of staff with the board’s report.

January 27, 1917:

Cavalry Equipment Criticised

General Pershing, in command of the punitive expedition in Mexico, has made some scathing allusions to the 1912 cavalry equipment, which was also the subject of adverse comment on the part of Colonel G. O. Cress, of the cavalry arm, as division inspector under General Pershing. The inspector ascertained from a canvass of the two squadrons of the 11th and 13th cavalry that the saddle, ration bags, rifle carrier, ammunition belt, and method of carrying the rifle were “unsatisfactory.” General Pershing adds that the 1912 cavalry saddle “can not be too severely condemned.” He says in a report on the subject: “In the light of experience in this campaign it is surprising that the group of cavalry officers could ever have been led to adopt such a saddle as this. Its very appearance should be enough to condemn it, as at a glance it could be plainly seen that it throws the center of gravity of the rider far too high in the air. The abolishment of the saber is strongly recommended. It is a relic that possesses no military value. It is a burden to the horse and now takes up a lot of valuable time to learn its use that could profitably be employed in perfecting the trooper in the use of the pistol. I have already strongly recommended the discontinuance of the use of the saber.”

[selewis]

Thanks Philip. Very interesting. Considering the eventual outcome of these investigations they seem to be as adept at dithering as our legislative branch is.

Sandy

[Rick Throckmorton]

Thanks for posting this interesting information, Phillip. General Pershing was VERY adamant about his poor opinion of the M1912 saddles. I have to agree with him about his first impression that the seat of the saddle was noticably very high off the horse's back. That is plain to see. It must have been very embarrassing for the members of the developmental board to have seen such words published in a professional journal.
The other information regarding the development of the M1917 saddles is also interesting. I would have loved to see the ultimate model of American cavalry saddle if WW1 had not hampered its development.
I wish photos of the arsenal models of the M1917 Service Saddle would surface. I have what I believe is one of the arsenal models of this pattern in my collection. It is like the trial saddles except the way it is trimmed. I suspect the trimming ornaments is one of the items "tweaked" during its development. This saddle has holes in the pommel where I thought foot loops had been installed as found on photos of the trial M1917 Service Saddles. The holes are a little too far apart for the fitting of foot loops though. I suspect that leather straps were riveted in their place. There are photos that exist of these saddles with the leather straps in the place of the foot loops. Anyway, these articles are an interesting insight as to how such saddles were developed by the various boards.
Again, thanks, Phillip.
Rick Throckmorton

[selewis]

Rick;

Do you think that a new saddle would have been adopted had not WWI intervened?

[Rick Throckmorton]

Oh, absolutely. That's what this board was all about. It had been known for years that although a good saddle, the McClellan had major faults as a field saddle to be overcome. A replacement had been found (the M1912), but was also found to be lacking and the search continued...a search that had a dedicated board to tweak the design to an acceptable level. This was also an era of great progression in the art and science of "horsemanship and horsemastership".
Yes, I believe the new saddle would probably have been the M1917 horse equipments. The M1917 Officers saddle of those equipments was used by many mounted officers until the great dismount.
Just my guess, of course.
Rick T.

[Philip S]

Rick:

I was researching something else in the Register and thought you would find this interesting. Has anyone looked through the Cavalry Board records for info?

[Rick Throckmorton]

Phillip,
If I remember correctly, I think perhaps Ken McPheeters and Stephen Dorsey had attempted to locate them for their saddle book. I don't think they were successful though. So many of this type record has been misplaced.
Rick

[dallas Φ]

I sent Pat two photos of the 1917 saddle to post. One shows the stripped saddle and the other shows the saddle with equipment.
Dallas

[Pat Holscher]

The two current threads on 1916 stuff have some really great information. Thanks to all!

I sent Pat two photos of the 1917 saddle to post. One shows the stripped saddle and the other shows the saddle with equipment.
Dallas

Dallas, I did get those and will post it to this thread. It might be as late as Saturday, as I've been on the road a lot.

[Rick Throckmorton]

I found the following references to replacements for the Model 1912 saddle today in The Army and Navy Register:

March 11, 1916, p. 334:

Cavalry Equipment Problems

The board of cavalry officers in session at the Rock Island Arsenal for a general consideration of the model 1912 cavalry equipment has made a recommendation that practically commits itself to abandonment of the hinged side bars, which characterized the saddle adopted in 1912 as a result of recommendations of the previous equipment board. This recommendation is to the effect that the French officers’ saddle, which generally is of a flat type and which has been used extensively at the mounted service school at Fort Riley, Kans., be adopted for officers. This saddle is considered too expensive for issue to enlisted men, and the problem now before the board is the provision of a saddle for them of the same general type as the French officers’ saddle without exceeding a reasonable cost. The board also has made recommendations as to other articles of personal and horse equipment that it has had under consideration. Of course, a change in the saddle will of itself necessitate change in some articles. This chief of staff, however, has decided not to approve any recommendations of the board until its full report is received and considered


May 27, 1916, p. 685

New Cavalry Equipment

Tests of the new saddle for officers, modeled after the French officer’s saddle, as proposed by the cavalry equipment board in session at the Rock Island Arsenal, are being conducted this month at the mounted-service school at Fort Riley, Kans., by Captain Henry R. Richmond, cavalry; First Lieutenant John K. Brown, 2d cavalry, and second Lieutenant Vincent P. Erwin, 6th field artillery, and the officers are reported as much pleased with the saddle. The equipment board has designed a saddle for enlisted men along the same general lines as the officers’ saddles, but of cheaper material, and it has made certain changes in the articles of the pack to conform to the new saddle. Two enlisted men with the new saddles and packs have started from Rock Island on a 500-mile ride, with a view to making 20 miles a day, to test these articles. A previous long ride with the new saddle without the pack demonstrated that the saddle was satisfactory when used alone, and now it is desired to determine its suitability when used with the pack. It is not the intention of the equipment board to make final recommendations as to the saddle, pack, and other articles of personal and horse equipment for mounted troops until satisfactory demonstrations of them are had.


Oct. 7, 1916, p. 458:

New Cavalry Equipment

The work of the cavalry equipment board at the Rock Island Arsenal is nearing completion, and already some preliminary reports have been made. The board has directed its attention particularly to the cavalry saddle with a view to reporting upon the relative merits of various military saddles for the cavalry service, and as well it has considered reports from organization commanders with reference to the model 1912 cavalry equipment, which has been in use for about two years in an experimental way by some twelve squadrons of cavalry and of which 3,200 sets wee manufactured. Adverse reports on some of the articles of the 1912 equipment, particularly as to the saddle, led to appointment of the present equipment board and suspension of manufacture of further sets of equipment. The present board has decided upon a saddle for officers modeled afer the French officers’ saddle, thus discarding the hinged side-bars and some other features of the 1912 saddle, and for enlisted men it will recommend saddle, of cheaper materials modeled along the same general lines as that for officers. The new saddles necessitate changes in articles of equipment. Samples of all articles of equipment in which the board recommends changes are being manufactured, and as soon as they are completed they will be submitted to the chief of staff with the board’s report.

January 27, 1917:

Cavalry Equipment Criticised

General Pershing, in command of the punitive expedition in Mexico, has made some scathing allusions to the 1912 cavalry equipment, which was also the subject of adverse comment on the part of Colonel G. O. Cress, of the cavalry arm, as division inspector under General Pershing. The inspector ascertained from a canvass of the two squadrons of the 11th and 13th cavalry that the saddle, ration bags, rifle carrier, ammunition belt, and method of carrying the rifle were “unsatisfactory.” General Pershing adds that the 1912 cavalry saddle “can not be too severely condemned.” He says in a report on the subject: “In the light of experience in this campaign it is surprising that the group of cavalry officers could ever have been led to adopt such a saddle as this. Its very appearance should be enough to condemn it, as at a glance it could be plainly seen that it throws the center of gravity of the rider far too high in the air. The abolishment of the saber is strongly recommended. It is a relic that possesses no military value. It is a burden to the horse and now takes up a lot of valuable time to learn its use that could profitably be employed in perfecting the trooper in the use of the pistol. I have already strongly recommended the discontinuance of the use of the saber.”

Note that the comments of Oct. 7, 1916, state that production of the M1912 saddles was suspended after 3200 sets had been manufactured. This differs greatly from the over 9000 sets of equipment manufactured as stated in another Ordnance Dept. report. I wonder which is the accurate figure. The relatively limited figure of 3200 would certainly account for the fairly small number of M1912 saddles that appear in collections and on the market today.
Rick T.

[Todd]

I wonder if they are using the same comparison as we might - while the saddle production may have been suspended, the other parts of the 'equipments' may have been continued, to build the stock until the 'saddle problems' were rectified.

This may account for the many (relatively speaking) photos we see of troopers riding McClellans and using M1912 combination bridles, for instance.

[Rick Throckmorton]

That is certainly plausible...and the verbage used ("sets" of equipment) is quite vague. Does "sets" include saddles or can it mean everything sans saddles?
Rick

[Pat Holscher]

I sent Pat two photos of the 1917 saddle to post. One shows the stripped saddle and the other shows the saddle with equipment.
Dallas

Dallas' photographs:

[Pat Holscher]

10. Rifle Carrier: The Board is not favorable to the Rifle Carrier model 1912; and on the other hand is convinced that with our present rifle, the latter cannot be carried on the saddle without seriously disturbing the balance of the equipment, and rendering in a severe campaign, many mounts unserviceable. Neither the Army nor the Ordinance Department, it is believed is willing to adopt a carbine for the cavalry.

After very serious deliberation the Board is therefore conducing experiments, with the rifle carried on the trooper’s back, as is the case in nearly all the great European armies of today.

After trial of various devices to hold the rifle rigid against the troopers back, the board has found the following most satisfactory: The two sling swivels are removed and reattached to the side of the rifle so that the flat side of the arm comes next to the trooper’s back. At the rear of the right hip, a spring-clip is attached to the ammunition belt, and received in its jaws the small of the rifle-stock.

Present experiments with this method of carrying the rifle have included three weeks trial at the Mounted Service School by the five instructors in equitation, riding at all gaits and jumping all obstacles on the Fort Riley reservation. Also by a squad of five enlisted men (cavalrymen) at Rock Island Arsenal, riding twenty miles a day at the average rate of six miles per hour.

Reports from both officers and soldiers testing the device have so far been highly favorable.

While doubtless much prejudice exists in the cavalry against carrying the rifle on the trooper’s back, the Board has in mind the great need in present campaigns, of conservation of horse flesh; while consideration of the great weight carried by the infantry soldier on his person renders it no hardship for the cavalry man to carry the rifle in similar fashion if will increase his mobility and ultimately usefulness for either mounted or dismounted action.

In this connection, the following interesting quotation from Lord Roberts’ “Forty-one Years in India,” is pertinent:

“It was on this occasion that I first recognized the advantage of having the carbine slung on the trooper’s back while in action, instead of being carried in the bucket, as is the custom with our British cavalry. Several of the enemy’s loose horses were going about with carbines on their saddles, while their dismounted riders were at an enormous disadvantage in trying to defend themselves from their mounted adversaries with only their swords. I saw too, one of Watson’s men saved from a fierce cut across the spine by having his carbine on his back. More recent experience has quite satisfied me that this is the only way this weapon should be carried when actual fighting is going on.”

Interesting series of comments. The lingering resentment over not having a carbine variant of the 03 developed comes through in the comments.

Also interesting to note that while the comments were right, and the European cavalries were carrying their rifles across the back, this experiment didn't last long in the U.S. Army. A rifle in a scabbard is an unbalanced load, but the Army kept the scabbard until the end.

[Pat Holscher]

Bump.

[Pat Holscher]

2. Officer’s Saddle: Reports as to the 1912 officer’s saddle have in general been adverse to this model, particularly as to the features of hinged side-bars. The Board will, in all probability recommend the adoption of an officer’s service saddle which duplicates the French field saddle, now used by many officers of our service. This saddle will have pommel and cantle-pockets, and the latter can with a few simple alterations be made from the present McClellan pockets. It has been tried out at the Mounted Service School for five years and by many officers under campaign conditions. The Rock Island Arsenal has competed ten beautifully fabricated models for the Equipment Board, and ultimately the Arsenal will be able to supply officers with a saddle, which is considered by the Board the best field saddle in the world.

Bumped up by request.