Improved Artillery Harness, 1887 – Reports to the Chief of Ordnance

Reports to the Chief of Ordnance, Appendix 41 Improved Artillery Harness All text between the lines following is directly transcribed from the original document.  Any clarifying comments are colored in blue, between brackets, [as an example]. APPENDIX 41. IMPROVED ARTILLERY HARNESS (1 plate.) To the CHIEF OF ORDNANCE. U. S. ARMY, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL:…

US Pattern of 1859 Horse Equipments For The Cavalry Service

The following is gathered from the 1861 US Ordnance Manual, and describes completely the regulation ‘Pattern of 1859’ cavalry horse equipments. A complete set of horse equipments for cavalry troops consists of 1 bridle, 1 watering-bridle, 1 halter, 1 saddle, 1 pair of saddle-bags, 1 saddle-blanket, 1 surcingle, 1 pair of spurs, 1 curry-comb, 1 horse-brush, 1…

McClellan Saddle Fit

Here’s just a few thoughts on fitting the McClellan saddle. A few of the reproduction McClellan saddles offered today are on fairly good modern repro trees with proportions only slightly different than the original 1896/1904 **. But, many more of the trees that the repro saddle fitters use are a cobbled western tree that they…