US Cavalry Collection 1898-1917

[Dragoon]

I thought I would share some of my US Cavalry accoutrements, uniforms and saddles from 1898-1917. I am having some work done in my room and took the opportunity to take some pics whilst packing items away. 

This is the first part, next I will share some from 1912-1917, you might note I have a preference for 13th cavalry related items.

No doubt I will have missed things here and there (forgot the sabre knot on the officers sabre) and may have used the wrong year in my description, I will correct any errors. Unfortunately sometimes I am limited by what fits a mannequin or a hat stand, most are never straight forward. 

One thing to note is that most of these items continued in service resulting in a cross over, this is evidenced in period photos where a mix of patterns or models can be seen. 

I never started out collecting uniforms, my interest mainly lay in saddles and accoutrements but you know how it is, there are gaps but I hope you enjoy.

 

Centre Cavalry 1898 coat (not shown is the cloth belt), what might not be visible is where the yellow from the chevrons has run into the sleeve, the reason for going to removeable coloured shoulder straps on the next pattern. 

Blue pattern 1896 holster and cavalry cartridge belt.

 

Left is 1899 pattern coat with yellow shoulder straps, along with 1899 dated straight leg reinforced seat pants, 1889 campaign hat, sabre belt and 1892 holster.

 

Right is 1901 pattern coat a representing a dismounted cavalryman, I have a photo of the 13th cavalry in the Philippines in 1903 similarly dressed and kitted out, my coat shows one tan shoulder strap and one yellow to illustrate the change, in the photo I am recreating they were tan. Tan pattern 1896 holster and cavalry cartridge Belt. Tan sun helmet.

 

Left is a model 1893 McClellan saddle with pattern 1896 1st pattern Krag carbine scabbard, this saddle is stamped in numerous places to the 2nd Cavalry C troop, they were mounted in Cuba, I have yet to see clear photographic evidence to know if they still had this model saddle at that time.

 

Right  Model 1896 McClellan saddle.

Non regulation tan cotton 1895 cap with 2nd Cav insignia.

 

 

[Dragoon]

Coat on left the exact pattern is unknown but it dates to circa 1902/1903, I have a photo of some 11th cavalry wearing them intermixed with other patterns, in that photo there is a mix of both blackened and gilt buttons, I have also seen a 1903 dated photo of this pattern coat being worn but with gilt buttons. The coat is identifiable by the cloth loops for shoulder straps. The 1874 sabre belt illustrates the change from black leather to fair leather but before the adoption of the 1902 enlisted sabre belt, it is stamped to F troop 13th cavalry, I have another the same stamped to D troop 13th cavalry. These later belts both black and fair leather have the hasp held in the fold of the leather unlike earlier belts where the hasp is riveted.

 

Centre photo is 1904 coat D troop 13th cavalry, 1903 cavalry cartridge belt and suspenders, 1904 dated holster and first aid pouch. 1905 experimental sabres, one an Ames the other a Springfield, the scabbard is stamped to H troop 13th cavalry.

 

Right coat is again 1904 pattern but cotton along with mounted pants and service cap, 1902 sabre belt, pistol cartridge pouch and holster. 

 

Model 1896 russet McClellan saddle from 1902 as it is not dated, Rock Island Arsenal introduced a year stamp in 1903, with 2nd pattern Krag carbine scabbard also from 1902, stamped again to the 13th cavalry H troop.

 

 

 

[Dragoon]

Left is 1907 spec coat with stand and fall collar, 13th cavalry G troop insignia with mounted trousers, 1907 cavalry cartridge belt, 13th Cav stamped holster, 1904 haversack stamped to 13th cavalry G troop.

 

Centre, early 1906 cotton coat, H troop 13th cavalry insignia, these were soon replaced due to the high collar, replaced by the shorter stand and fall collar. 1902 campaign hat

 with star vent and folded brim. 

 

Right late 1906 pattern cotton coat, with 1902 enlisted sabre belt and holster etc.

 

1907 dated wool service cap and 1902 cotton service cap, 13th cavalry insignia.

 

Again 1905 experimental sabre and 1905 Pattern steal hilt light cavalry sabre.

[Dragoon]

1907 Pattern officers coat 13th cavalry insignia along with cap, garrison belt, Rock Island Arsenal 1904 dated map/despatch case, 1904 dated holster and early Model 1902 Springfield made Officers sabre.

Shown with 1908 dated officers Whitman saddle on left, right is another Whitman but dated 1903, it is shown with the 1896 1st pattern Krag carbine scabbard, this one being one of a small number produced in russet.

[Dragoon]

This photo is one I took a few years ago and was used in a post I made on the Society of the Military Horse site.

It shows a 1909/10 coat with 13th cav collar discs, experimental holster with swivel/hook attachment circa 1910 made at Rock Island Arsenal, M1909 belt and experimental bandoleer circa 1911, note pockets for .30 cartridges and pockets for Colt M1911 magazines, I have not been showing the backs but will here, note reverse of bandoleer has a scabbard attached for a krag bayonet. I have a photo of a 11th cavalry trooper wearing the same experimental bandoleer.

The ammo box is for the M1909 Benet Mercie machine gun.

[Dragoon]

Pattern 1904 sweater with M1909 RIA holster for M1909 .45 Colt, M1909 cavalry cartridge belt, 1911 dated first aid pouch.

Along with other experimental holsters from this time, 1909 dated RIA holster for .38 Colt, Meadows in his superb books shows the same experimental holster but for the .45 Colt M1909.

The saddle although a sad relic is an experimental 1910/1911 model, obviously made in low numbers, I am glad to say there is a complete example in existence that was once held in Ft Sill.

(The sweater appears a darker and more green in the photo than in reality)

Lastly the muskrat fur hat is dated 1904 and has a brown cotton lining, the M1907 winter cap is dated 1913 with blue cloth lining.

 

Carrying on the theme here are some more experimental holsters.

 

If I get sometime spare my next photos will cover from 1912-1917.

[Lind007]

Some really Great stuff! Thank you for sharing! 

[warguy]

Very nice collection and beautifully photographed. Thanks for taking the time  to share. I look forward to volume 2. 

[Dragoon]

Thank you for the comments, I hope to get sometime this week to photograph part two.

[Remember Me]

Beautiful things. I really like that experimental bandoleer. The wife and I do cowboy mounted shooting and there is a cavalry class. Pre 1873 clothing  with flap holsters. There was a couple that would ride with McClellan saddles, didn't  look very comfy. Again very nice.

[trenchbuff]

Wonderful collection Dragoon!  Thanks for sharing with us.

[Dragoon]

The next photos are from my favourite period. 

The first represents a US cavalry officer circa 1916. The saddle is an Officers Model 1912 saddle with Model 1912 Pommel Pockets, the officer’s saddle has a slightly flatter seat than the service saddle and slightly wider pommel. Leather edged 2nd cavalry 1908 saddle cloth. The coat is private purchase often seen being worn by officers on the border, 1913 riding gloves dated 1914, 1911 Campaign hat and private purchase wool knit sweater, the sweater came from an officers locker who sadly died in 1918 of the Spanish Flu.

 

 

[Dragoon]

The next photo is from the same period.

M1912 Service Saddle, Pommel Pockets, M1912 Guidon and Standard Carrier, M1913 Saber with early service scabbard with tip, M1912 Saber Carrier Service with Intrenching Tool Carrier and Picket Pin Case attached, M1912 Feed Bag & Grain Bag. Partially shown M1912 Halter Bridle. M1912 Rifle Carrier Boot, M1912 Ration Bags 1915 dated, Saber Knot marked to F troop 13th cavalry.

Pommel pockets at the base are unit marked to H troop 13th cavalry dated 1914.

 

M1911 campaign hat with private purchase dust goggles. M1911 sweater dated 1912 on label, M1912 Cartridge Belt with rimmed eagle snaps dated 1914, 1914 dated M1912 holster, 1914 dated badoleer with rimmed eagle snaps, 1914 dated first aid pouch.

Pattern 1913 slicker with opening for rifle to pass up through when carried on cartridge belt, this was discarded on the pattern 1917 mounted slickers.

[Dragoon]

Here are some more Model 1912 related items. The early pre 1917 ration bags are pea green in colour, also note the square ends on the buckle straps, later changed to rounded, this is illustrated on the top pair of ration bags, the left made in 1916 is rounded the other dated 1915 is square, they are pair. The green painted intrenching tool is stamped to F troop 13th cavalry, M1912 Special Picket Pin Carrier, Cooling Strap, Pick Cover, Lariat, eagle snap mounted canteen cover unit marked to 13th cavalry B troop, Rifle Cover, Meat Can Pouch for pommel pocket and bacon bag.

[Dragoon]

This photo similar to that in the Model M1912 Cavalry Equipment manual shows Model M1912, Belt Officer’s, Cartridge belt, Garrison Belt Enlisted Men, Bandoleer. 

[Dragoon]

The same photo but with M1912 holsters added, top right is a 1911 stamped example, the other three I have chosen to add as they are 13th cavalry unit marked. 

Just to note the picket pin is the correct M1912 model made by RIA and dated 1914, these differ to later models (1918 model if I recall correctly) by not having the brass ring on the reverse, these M1912 models are easier to attach to the M1913 saber scabbard by not having that ring.

This photo shows the earliest model garrison belt ring left and the later style right that was adopted, the first variation having a latch and bar arrangement to support the ring.

 

[crassou54]

I from France.

 

I am collector of U.S militaria 1890 to 1916, i am amazing to see your's beautiful and rare items  (  especially very tough to fine inEurope ).

Thank for sharing and congratulation .

 

Richard

[Dragoon]

Hi Richard

Thank you for your comments, it has been a long time collecting, as you say not easy in Europe, in fact I have probably only picked up a very small percentage of items from this side of the Atlantic, although saying that I have had some amazing unexpected finds over here.

Kurt.

[Dragoon]

A new addition, an experimental 1906 Rock Island Arsenal .38 holster, in Scott Meadows' holster books he writes that 180 were produced and that they were tested by the 13th cavalry, he also shows are a couple of great period photos of the holsters. Originally but now missing there would have been a leather tab at the bottom with  a tie down thong. It ticks two boxes for myself being a keen cavalry accoutrement collector along with a preference to 13th cavalry related items.

[GWS]

Incredible collection! The condition of your items is amazing! I checked out your latest 38 holster in Scott Meadows book and it sounds like all it needed was the yet to be M-1910 hanger system. Very nice find and with only 180 made, a very rare holster!  Thanks so much for posting!

 

Steve

[Dragoon]

Steve, thanks for your reply, yes it seems to my mind that hanging the pistol by a leather thong would not be very hard wearing, they obviously thought it the possible answer in order to produce enough for a trial.

Kurt