MODEL 1904 OFFICER’S SERVICE SADDLE CLOTH – 18TH
INFANTRY REGIMENT - CREDITED TO AN INFANTRY OFFICER WHO
SERVED ON THE BORDER DURING THE 1916 MEXICAN PUNITIVE
EXPEDITION:
As described in the
Ordnance Department Manual No. 1719, Horse Equipments
and Equipments for Officers and Enlisted Men, dated
1905, this Model 1904 Officer’s Service Saddle Cloth
bears light blue enameled
numerals, indicating it was owned by an officer serving
in the 18Th US Infantry Regiment.
This saddle cloth was originally acquired many years ago
with a Model 1904 McClellan Saddle, 1st
Pattern, and matching Model 1904 Saddle Bags – the
complete set – from an old Connecticut estate, purchased
from the grandson of the officer who owned the
equipment. According to the grandson, the officer rode
this set while serving with the 18TH Infantry
on the Mexican Border during the Punitive Expedition
Period in 1916. At the time of the acquisition, the
officer’s name was not recorded.
To add insult to injury – that this sort of thing
happens is to cry for – due to mishandling during a
subsequent auction, the saddle and saddle bags were
separated from the saddle cloth and irretrievably
delivered to the wrong bidder.
In addition to the regimental numerals on the saddle
cloth, there is also a very distinctive stamping on the
underside of the russet leather spine and on each of the
two leather knee pads on the forward edges of the saddle
cloth - a stamped “US” framed by a stamped crescent on
each side of the letters. This same unique group of
stamps was applied to the aforementioned McClellan
Saddle on both sides of the upper quarter strap that
passes behind the cantle of the saddle, and on both of
the girth safes, leaving no doubt that the saddle and
saddle cloth were used together when these stamps were
applied. The significance of the crescents has not yet
been determined, but there is certainly enough heraldry
and history associated with this stamping for the next
owner to continue the research.
If only one of the three pieces was obtainable,
certainly this saddle cloth is the premier piece of the
set, for not only is a decent Officer’s Service Saddle
Cloth difficult to obtain, but this specimen is
particularly notable with the rare applied enameled
leather unit insignias and the “US” stamping previously
described.
It is a historical fact that the 18Th
Infantry was stationed in South Texas from 1913 through
1916 and participated in the Punitive Expedition. It is
worth noting that the officer who owned this saddle
cloth, and most certainly used it as he rode the Mexican
Border, was certainly in good company, for at least two
of his fellow officers would rise to prominence in the
years to come. Then 1ST Lieutenants George
C. Marshall and Alexander M. Patch both served in the 18Th
during the Expedition - the former rising to Chief of
Staff of the Army and the latter to command the 7TH
US Army in Europe during World War Two.
The olive drab duck material, still retaining the rigid,
sized nature of the fabric when it was new, is not
misshapen nor is the fabric weakened as seen on many
heavily used saddle cloths.
The fabric does show
evidence of use with some light stains from the imprint
of the saddle and the where the stirrup and girthing
straps hung down across the lower front corners.
There is a wear point immediately adjacent to the
leather spine, but when displayed under a saddle this
section of the cloth will not be readily apparent.
The russet leather spine is
fully intact and all the seams are intact and strong.
The russet leather trim around the edge of the cloth
shows some isolated areas of expected wear, but no
substantial loss and the great majority of the trim is
present and in good condition. The wear to the trim is
limited to the points where straps and/or equipment
attached to the saddle chafed against the edge of the
cloth – typical wear for a cloth that has seen field
service.
The light blue enameled leather numerals “18” on both
rear corners still retain much of the vibrant color, and
survive in full form with no loss of surface nor any
wear or damage to the edges of the numerals.
As the army’s designation implies, these khaki canvas
saddle cloths were intended to be used in the field and
due to the heavy use in extreme conditions to which they
were exposed, few survive today in decent condition.
Understandably, the thorough soaking due to horse sweat
and the continued and concentrated deposits of body
salts from the horse, these cloths were especially prone
to deterioration and eventual disposal. Hence,
surviving examples of these cloths in any condition are
not common today, making examples in this condition
relatively scarce. With the added value of being
identified as having been used by an officer in a
particular unit, and to events and personages during the
well known Punitive Expedition, clearly this Officers
Saddle Cloth will be a key addition to any saddle
collection, and would display beautifully under a
McClellan or an Officer's Whitman Saddle. (0041C)
$750
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