Brian Keith Posted May 15, 2009 Share #1 Posted May 15, 2009 I drove by a flea market that usually has little but tube socks, video tapes and new crap, but I had a bit of extra time on my hands so I stopped. Up it the rafters of one shop that actually had old stuff I saw this saddle. I know a bit about later US Military saddles, very little about ones this old, but I was pretty sure it was a Grimsley. I asked the dealer to get it down so I could see it. I bought it for $35. While it is pretty rough, it is probably over 150 years old. My buddy who does know a lot about Cavalry items came over and brought one of his good saddle books. It confirmed my thoughts; it is an 1847 Grimsley Rifleman’s/Dragoons saddle. With a bit of TLC and some replacement parts, it will be a decient displayable US Military saddle. These were used prior to and apparently during the Civil War. Not a bad flea market find. The original sturrups were just iron, so these are replacements. Possibly done during the Civil War, but they don't appear to be arsenal marked. More photo's to follow. I'm writing this from memory from the book so I may have spelled Grimsley incorrectly. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share #2 Posted May 15, 2009 Gotta love a hundred years worth of dust! BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted May 15, 2009 Hope you enjoyed seeing my find. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayg Posted May 15, 2009 Share #4 Posted May 15, 2009 Fantistic find!! Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOLO Posted May 15, 2009 Share #5 Posted May 15, 2009 interesting find, Civil War stuff is getting scarce , it displays well in it's current condition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted May 15, 2009 Share #6 Posted May 15, 2009 I bought it for $35. In case you get the urge to own two, there's a restored one offered for sale for $12,500: http://www.rsdmilitaria.com/item.php?id=21...=4&offset=0 Modern reproductions go for about $1,200-1,400. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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