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MODEL 1859 CIVIL
WAR McCLELLAN SADDLE CRUPPER RARE SPECIMEN MANUFACTURED
AT ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, DATED 1909:
Long established as an
integral piece of horse equipment, by the onset of the
Civil War a Model 1859 Crupper was one of the basic
components of every McClellan Saddle.
This strap assembly
attached to the rear equipment rings on the side bar
extensions behind the cantle and the padded loop was
fitted under the horse’s tail. So attached, the Crupper
prevented the saddle from riding forward on the horse’s
shoulders particularly when the horse was being ridden
down an incline.
The number of cruppers
produced during the Civil War years guaranteed the
regular army a “lifetime” supply without any addition
production in the post-War years. As late as 1879, the
Ordnance Department was still reporting significant
amounts of surplus Civil War horse equipment in new,
unissued condition which was fit for use and held in
inventory – i.e. McClellan Saddles - 42,000; stirrups –
23,000; watering bridles – 19.000; spurs and straps –
92,000; canteens – 267,000. No doubt there were similar
numbers of cruppers in the same warehouses.
With this surplus in
mind, it is no surprise that the majority of cruppers
which appear on the market today – in fact, every single
one I have seen over the last 30 years - were
manufactured during the Civil War years. That is, until
this specimen surfaced in an old comprehensive
collection of US Military horse equipment.
Made in the exact same
pattern as the Model 1859 Cruppers produced during the
Civil War, this specimen is stamped “R.I.A.” and dated
“1909”, indicating it was manufactured at the Rock
Island Arsenal in 1909. This date of manufacture was
long after the crupper had been deleted from the
standard saddle issue sometime in the 1870’s. There is
no doubt that this is an original piece. This crupper
was made of russet leather, the correct color of leather
for the period in which it was made, and the inspector’s
initials adjacent to the arsenal stamp is correct for
this period. Obviously, someone at the arsenal or a
unit in the field decided there was a need and perhaps
by that time, the surplus Civil War cruppers had been
sold into the civilian surplus market or were no longer
serviceable. Either way, that this crupper – and
presumably an unknown quantity of others – was produced
with a specific reason in mind will be yet another
mystery which will remain buried in the history of the
Ordnance Department.
This specimen is
complete with all straps, buckles and standing loops and
appears to be unissued as it shows no sign of wear or
use. The leather surface of the tail loop is smooth.
The balance of the leather surfaces of the straps has
some minor flexing, but no crazing or flaking. All of
the leather is intact, without any breaks or cracks, and
the leather is supple. The two buckles are not corroded
and still retain much of their original blued finish.
This is a particularly
interesting example of the Model 1859 Crupper and it
would a good addition to your cavalry equipment
collection. (0519) $175
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