M1906 Experimental Bridle. Rick Throckmorton photos

[Pat Holscher]

Photos courtesy of Rick, who will add text. Thanks Rick:

[Pat Holscher]

Note, by the way, the fine looking Boston Terrier in those photos.

[Rick Throckmorton]

Thanks for posting these, Pat.

This is a rather rare M1906 Experimental Bridle, and I thought some of you would enjoy seeing some views of it.
First off, these are not the correct reins that go with this particular type bridle, but I put them on just to get the look of a complete bridle. The correct reins would be the typical plain English type reins, but instead of the hooked post type securing device, there were buckles.
This particular bridle is marked ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL and 1906, and inspected TCC. It is also marked to a troop of the 15th Cavalry. The 15th was the regiment designated for the trial of the M1906 Bridles, so I presume this bridle an early manufactured specimen. The bridle has the thin type eagle rosettes with the centrally located bales on the back. Please note that I have mounted the M1906 Bridoon and curb bit simply by running the billet straps through the eyes of the bits and secured them with a keeper. The leather was rather stiff and brittle when I received it and I do not want to risk breaking the leather on such a rare bridle by buckling them. All the buckles on this bridle are finished in brown japanning. Both bits are RIA manufacture. The curb bit is marked RIA and NS, but does NOT have a year of manufacture on it. An early, pre-1909 specimen, maybe. I just don't know.

Of interest is that there is no loop on the upper near side cheek piece buckle to fasten a link strap snap. There were Saalbach buckles on the M1902 Bridles and the M1909 Bridles, but nothing for this need on the M1906. On this particular specimen, the trooper placed a brass wire buckle sans post on the upper near side cheek piece to satisfy this need. I think this a perfect example of a field expediency "fix". I have included a photo of this "fix".

The Boston Terrier is also an original that is 14 years old. Even though she is a senior, she does two miles every day. I have yet to find a makers mark or an inspector's stamp. She is doing her job of looking pretty and soaking up sunshine. She understands English but just quite can't speak it. She does however, get her wishes across with little problem.
Rick T.

[Joseph Sullivan]

Very nice, Rick, and as you say, very rare. I see that you finally found a bridoon. Is it marked and dated? If so, what is the date?

[Rick Throckmorton]

Joe,
This particular bridoon is marked RIA, NS, and is dated 1914. These later dates that appear with these dates are a bit of a quandry. I think it is because they were listed as part of the polo equipments, too, and I wonder if they were made upon request for that purpose.
Just my speculation, of course.
Rick

[tmarsh]

Rick, is there any information regarding the results after testing this bridle? Why was the snaffel designed this way? I believe Carter may have said something about this in his book but can't remember exactly what he said. Tom

[George Clark]

Rick,
Congratulations on a really nice set. It's nice to actually see the real thing. Very smart idea not not running the straps thru both the standing loops and the buckles. I make it a practice never to fasten any leather straps as they were when new regardless of their condition. When I pick up anything that can be safely unbuckled for cleaning I never completely re-buckle the straps (much easier for future cleaning). On delicate items I don't even attempt to unbuckle them. There is no worse feeling than having the tip of a strap break off in your hand. Again congrats on a great piece, and thanks for sharing it.
George

[Rick Throckmorton]

Thanks, George. Yes, it is a sick feeling when a piece breaks off. It is even more disheartening when it breaks when trying to protect it. I am really looking forward to being able to use the new silicone preservation treatments. I seem to have more trouble with the post 1900 items than the CW and IW pieces. I suppose it is because of the proclivity for the post 1900 army to use Neatsfoot oil in abundance. So many pieces of relatively young leather are found saturated with it. Not to say that earlier stuff isn't found in the same condition.
I am glad you enjoyed seeing the M1906.
Rick T.

[Rick Throckmorton]

Tom,
I don't have the results of the field trials of the M1906 Experimental Bridles. I have a copy of the arsenal drawings of them and surprisingly, they are listed as part of the polo equipments. The bridoon headstall is shown separately from the curb headstall, and together, they form the M1906 Bridle. I would think they were just too complicated for the men to use as a service bridle, much like the reasoning for the discontinuance of the M1912 Service Bridle. The M1909 Bridle with its suspension straps supporting the bridoon (snaffle) was much simpler to use.
Rick

[Couvi]

Rick,

Was that originally black leather?

[Rick Throckmorton]

No Couvi. These were made in russet leather. The photos are pretty dark and this bridle is now the chocolate color that russet turns.
Rick

[tmarsh]

Rick, I went over my reprint of Carter's, Horses,Saddles and Bridles and they had some photos of your bridle in it. Interesting in that the example had rounded brass buckels for bridle and reins. I also went through some photos of an officer on his horse at the border. He has a 09 snaffel and curb but the buckels are the same. Regards Tom

[Rick Throckmorton]

Thanks, Tom. I will have to dig out my copy of Carter's.
As you can see in the close up shots of the upper part of my bridle, the buckles do have a slightly rounded appearance to their top side.
Rick

[Pat Holscher]

Thanks, Tom. I will have to dig out my copy of Carter's.
As you can see in the close up shots of the upper part of my bridle, the buckles do have a slightly rounded appearance to their top side.
Rick

Here it is:

http://www.archive.org/details/saddlesbridles00cartrich

[Rick Throckmorton]

Thanks, Pat!
RT

[Pat Holscher]

Bump.