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MODEL 1912 STABLE HALTER – “LIKE NEW” UNISSUED
CONDITION: Another of the unique pieces of
equipment which were introduced with Model 1912 Trial
Horse Equipments, this Model 1912 Stable Halter has
survived in “like new”, unissued condition. A departure
from the previous leather halters, the Model 1912 Stable
Halters were manufactured of olive drab webbing.
The issue of the Model 1912 Horse Equipment provided for
two halter arrangements for each horse. For use in the
field and on campaign, the soldiers were issued the
Model 1912 Cavalry Bridle which was a single unit which
combined the curb bridle, bridoon bridle, and halter,
all constructed of bridle leather.
The Stable Halter was intended to be used only in the
immediate confines of the post stable and they were an
item of troop equipment rather than an item of
individual issue.
To quote from Ordnance
Department Manual No. 1715, Description and
Directions For Use And Care of Cavalry Equipment Model
1912, “This article serves to secure the horses
in the stable or on the picket line in garrison. It
should be used for no other purpose. The responsibility
for these halters for a single troop should be borne by
the stable sergeant and not distributed among the
several troopers, and the halters should never be
removed from the immediate vicinity of the stables.”
Apparently, the army thought these Stable Halters were
one of the few items from the Model 1912 Horse Equipment
which were worth retaining in service, and as evidenced
by the maker’s ink stamp on this halter, they continued
to be produced well into the 1930’s, the waning days of
the horse cavalry.
Due to the utilitarian nature of these halters, and the
years of hard use and continued service to which they
were exposed, very few seem to have survived in contrast
to other pieces of horse equipment. Years after the
cavalry gave up their horses and were mechanized, the
army still retained some horses and a large number of
mules, so it stands to reason that these halters
continued to be used to destruction, leaving very few to
pass into the collector’s market.
This Model 1912 Stable Halter is in excellent condition
and displays very well. The halter is complete with all
the metal fittings which retain the original applied
darkened finish. The webbing straps are all full length
with all the stitching intact. The webbing shows no
evidence of use, wear, or fraying, and it still retains
a bright clean OD color. There are one or two soil
spots due to storage over the years. The strap that
passes under the horse’s chin is legibly ink stamped “US
JQMD 1933” and with the inspector’s initials. By the
1930’s, the responsibility for manufacturing horse
equipment had passed from the Ordnance Department to the
Quartermaster Department, and all of those facilities
were moved from Rock Island Arsenal to the
Jeffersonville Quartermaster Depot. The portion of the
strap that passes over the top of the horse’s head is
ink stamped with the numeral “4”, likely a size
designation.
The description of the Stable Halter in the above
referenced manual included this interesting instruction
regarding repairs, “In case it becomes necessary to
repair them, leather will answer in the absence of
webbing. It has been recommended that each troop be
issued a small amount of webbing for repair purposes.”
Found in a collection of other Model 1912 Equipments, I
recently obtained a 48” long section of 1 ˝” wide
webbing consistent in appearance of the Model 1912
Cooling Straps or Surcingles (see photos below). This
piece of webbing is the same coarse weave and color as
the surcingles, and it is bundled with two ties of jute
cord as was commonly used by the arsenals when bundling
equipment for shipping. The webbing is double layered,
and is stitched along both edges and across each end,
making for finished edges. While there is no way of
knowing for certain, I am inclined to believe that this
section of webbing was provided with the Stable Halters
for repair as described in the manual. As an added
value this section of webbing will be included in the
sale of this halter, which will make for a unique
display.
These Model 1912 Stable Halters are quite rare, and
despite the considerable number that must have been made
during their service life, very few have survived to
pass into the collectors market. This is a unique
opportunity to add a rare piece to display with your
Model 1912 Horse Equipment.
SOLD
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