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MODEL 1902 CARBINE SCABBARDS FOR THE SPRINGFIELD
KRAG CARBINE – VERY NICE EXAMPLES OF THIS RARE SCABBARD COMPLETE WITH STRAPS: The US Army adopted the first
full length scabbard in 1896 for use with the
Springfield Krag Carbine. The Model 1896 Scabbards were
produced in black leather as were all horse equipment
and accoutrements at that time.
In May of 1902, the mouth
of the carbine scabbard was reinforced by incorporating
the same brass throat plate that was featured on the
Model 1887 Carbine Boot. This brass throat protector
facilitated the return of the carbine into the scabbard
and provided additional protection for the carbine’s
rear sight. In July of 1902, the army instituted the
change from black leather to russet leather.
Apparently, the Model 1902 Carbine Scabbard was only
produced from the summer of 1902 through some point in
1903 – 1903 dated specimens are known – and due to this
short production period, they are quite rare.
I am fortunate to have these two specimens to offer.
Both are individually described below with accompanying
photographs.
HISTORICAL NOTE:
Periodically, I am asked how these scabbards were
mounted on the saddles. Here are two period
photographs taken from official US Army publications
which show how the these scabbards were mounted on the
saddles after the adoption of the Krag Carbines and the
Model 1903 Springfield Rifles.
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NO. 1:
MODEL 1902 CARBINE SCABBARD FOR THE SPRINGFIELD
KRAG CARBINE – IDENTIFIED TO TROOP L, 10TH US
CAVALRY - RARE SCABBARD COMPLETE WITH STRAPS IN VERY
GOOD CONDITION:
This very nice example of the rare Model 1902 Carbine
Scabbard is made of
russet leather and features the brass throat plate.
Measuring 31” long, the scabbard is full form, and is
complete with both of the original full length leather
straps which buckled directly onto the saddle – the snap
hooks featured with the later scabbards had not yet been
adopted. The straps are complete with the buckles,
standing loops and sliding leather keepers. The
scabbard is legibly stamped “ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL” with
the worker’s initials “TC” for T. Carroll.
The top edge
of the scabbard throat is stamped with a set of unit
inventory letters and numerals, “L 10 81”, indicating
this scabbard was in the inventory of Troop L, of the
famous 10TH US Cavalry, and was assigned the
inventory number 81. While showing signs of having been
issued and used, this scabbard has survived in very good
condition with the seam intact and all the components
present. The leather surface retains an overall bright
shiny surface and the leather has a pleasant medium
caramel color as do the straps. The leather is overall
smooth, with some of the expected wear to the surface
from being carried on a saddle and with a minimal amount
of crazing, but no flaking or surface loss. The leather
is live, the scabbard still holds it shape, and it would
display very well. The steel plates which formed the
drain hole in the lower tip were removed at some point
in the scabbards life and the end of the scabbard sewn
up, likely the work of a company saddler executing a
necessary repair.
Seldom
encountered on the collector’s market, this scabbard has
the added value of having been used by a very historic
cavalry regiment. This Model 1902 Carbine Scabbard
would be an excellent addition to a Krag Carbine
display, or to complete a First Pattern Model 1904
McClellan Saddle. (0210) $850
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NO. 2:
MODEL 1902 CARBINE SCABBARD FOR THE
SPRINGFIELD KRAG CARBINE – RARE SCABBARD COMPLETE WITH
STRAPS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION: This very nice
example of the rare Model 1902 Carbine Scabbard is made
of russet leather and features the brass throat plate.
Measuring 31” long, the scabbard is full form, and is
complete with both of the original full length leather
straps which buckled directly onto the saddle – the snap
hooks featured with the later scabbards had not yet been
adopted. The straps are complete with the buckles,
standing loops and sliding leather keepers. The
scabbard is legibly stamped “ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL” with
the worker’s initials “TC” for T. Carroll.
While showing signs of having been issued and used, this
scabbard has survived in very good condition with the
seam intact and all the components present. The leather
surface retains an overall bright shiny surface and the
leather has a pleasant mahogany color. The leather is
overall smooth, with no flaking or surface loss. The
leather is not oil soaked and softened like so many of
these scabbards, rather the leather is live, the
scabbard still holds it shape, and it would display very
well. The steel plates which form the drain hole in
the lower tip are present and tip of the scabbard is
full form.
An especially nice example, this Model 1902 Carbine
Scabbard would be an excellent addition to a Krag
Carbine display, or to complete a First Pattern Model
1904 McClellan Saddle. (0308) $850
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ORIGINAL
MODEL 1903 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE STOCK FOR DISPLAYING IN THE
RIFLE SCABBARDS: This is a nicely
refinished, cut down original Model 1903 Rifle stock
which would be perfect for displaying in a Model
1896-1903 rifle scabbard. Absent the weight of a
complete rifle and without the additional length of a
full stock or the protrusions of the bolt handle, rear
sight, etc. which would strain the old leather and the
risk opening the seam, this rifle stock would still
present the appearance of a complete rifle and would
look quite nice displayed on a saddle. The
original butt plate is present and the stock still bears
traces of the cartouche and the "P in the ball" proof
stamp below the trigger group mortise. The stock
has a beautiful color and a very nice finish. The
only wear beyond the normal handling marks is a small
chip just above the toe of the stock. Have just
the one. SOLD |
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