1916 Cavalry Equipment Board Report
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 7:27 pm
“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.
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.
