Picket pin/shovel

[MattOravik]

I'm looking for some general information about the M1912(?) model. Who carried them, when, and how were they carried?

 

-Matt.

[alibi]

In 1911 a board of cavalry officers was convened to examine equipment in use and new items for recommendation for adoption. The Board made a recommendation for a rather unique set of horse equipment that was quite a departure from the McClellan based horse equipment then in service. The Board's report with recommendations was published in 1912.

 

SADDLE - the saddle appeared to be more like common riding saddles and featured hinged side bars. Because of the adjustable side bars one saddle fit all horses and better fit the horse as the animal gained or lost weight. (The McClellan saddle was made in three sizes to suit the horse but was not adjustable)

 

POMMEL BAGS - Except for officer's saddles the Army had not previously provided pommel bags. The leather pommel bags were similar to saddle bags but fit over the front of the saddle. Each of the bags was similar in size and shape but constructed differently to accept different equipment.

 

RATION BAGS - The ration bags were made of web material with supporting straps, buckles and snap hooks. The ration bags were designed to be placed over the cantle as saddle bags, but could be reconfigured into a back pack for dismounted use.

 

SABER - The Equipment Board recommended a slightly curved saber that was soon made with a straight blade, designed for thrusting forward during the charge. The saber could also be used as a slashing weapon. (The Army theory of saber fighting was that a narrow edge blade was as good as a sharpened blade in disabling an opponent in a close melee, although during the Civil War some soldiers sharpened their sabers) The advocate of the saber was George S. Patton who had seen similar sabers in use by the British and French armies. It was intended that in the field the saber and scabbard would serve as tent poles, so no poles were issued with this equipment.

 

BANDOLEER - A woven web twelve pocket rifle and pistol cartridge bandoleer was recommended for adoption. The bandoleer went through several modifications and the model selected was made by Mills starting in 1914.

 

CARTRIDGE and GARRISON BELTs - The belts issued with this horse equipment were unique in they were fitted with a foldable ring and sling with snap hook, left rear. The forward part of M1903 rifle was slipped into the ring and the snap hook attached to the trigger guard. In this way the soldier's hands were entirely free for attending to the horse and etc. The rifle was carried in this position while mounted the theory being that when the soldier dismounted or was unexpectedly separated from his horse the soldier would not be disarmed. The cartridge belt was also provided with a simple leather frog with a loop that was primarily intended for wire cutters.

 

SADDLE RIFLE BUCKET - A leather bucket of sorts that the rifle butt fit into was attached to the near/on side cantle of the saddle. When mounted the rifle was supported by the bucket, the ring on the soldier's belt and the strap with snap hook attached to the trigger guard. (See cartridge and garrison belts above.)

 

SPECIAL TOOLS - A combination picket pin and hammer/claw and leather carrying case was provided. The picket pin was also intended to be used as the handle for a hatchet or shovel blade. The hatchet slipped onto the picket pin and was held in place by the hammer head. The shovel blade slipped onto the pointed end of the picket and was held in place by a pin attached to the shovel with a chain. A hole was provided in the picket pin for this purpose. The picket pin case could be attached to the saddle in a number of ways but was intended to attach to the saber scabbard. The shovel head and axe were carried in compartments in the pommel bags.

 

BRIDLE and BIT - the bridle was set up with a double bit system that included a watering bit. The bridle, bits and headstall were all similar to ordinary riding bits and very much unlike the Shoemaker and M1909 bits that preceded.

 

The first lot of this saddle equipment was sent out for field trials as soon as ready at Rock Island Arsenal in 1914. It was intended that half of the standing Army cavalry strength would be issued this equipment. In most regiments the M1912 (experimental) horse equipments was issued by troop. So in general half the regiment's troops had the McClellan based horse equipment and half the M1912.

 

In 1915 the Cavalry Equipment Board reconvened and reviewed the mostly favorable reports from the field. There were a few minor problems with the equipment and the Board recommended changes that became the M1916 (experimental) horse equipment.

 

The real test of the M1912 and M1916 horse equipments came during the March 1916-February 1917 Punitive Expedition into Mexico. The saddles were a particular problem because the hinges of the side bars frequently broke; leaving the rider with a sort of list to one side that severely fatigued the rider. The broken saddles also severely galled the horses. One of the main complaints was the unbalanced loads as the sabers were left in garrison and the rifle could not be shifted from side to side as could be done with the M1904 (McClellan) equipments. This also caused excessive fatigue and galling to the horses.

 

A very large cavalry patrol was kept on the U.S. - Mexico Border from 1917 to well into the 1920s. During WWI replacement M1916 equipment was manufactured and sent to the units still using the M1912/16 horse equipments, but rapidly being replaced with M1904 horse equipment. By the end of WWI and the demobilization there was enough M1904 saddle equipment to completely replace all the M1912/16 equipment which was condemned and sold.