| |
|
|
|
MODEL 1885 CARBINE BOOTS – VERY GOOD SPECIMENS:
These Model 1885 Carbine Boots were adopted as a result
of the 1884 Cavalry Equipments Board, and placed into
service prior to the publication of Ordnance Memoranda
No. 29 in 1891 by which time the longer, brass throated
Model 1887 Carbine Boot supplanted these shorter boots.
As discussed in detail
on pages 137-156 of Indian War Cartridge Pouches,
Boxes, and Carbine Boots by R. Stephen Dorsey, the
Model 1885 Carbine Boot was subjected to several
modifications of the original pattern once the boots
were issued to the troops in the field. The
modifications, executed to adjust the position the boot
hung on the saddle, or to correct an error in the
original assembly at the arsenal, are an interesting
facet of the story of Indian War accoutrements and they
are worthwhile addition to any collection.
Each
carbine boot is individually described below with
accompanying photographs.
|
|
NO. 1
MODEL 1885 CARBINE BOOT
– SECOND PATTERN – WITH INTERESTING ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL HISTORY:
A very interesting example on several different levels,
this boot exhibits a well documented anomaly found only
on early production specimens.
As discussed in detail on pages 139, 148, and 150 in
Dorsey’s Indian War Cartridge Pouches, Boxes and
Carbine Boots, these
early production Carbine Boots show evidence of
having been assembled incorrectly at the Rock Island
Arsenal. Apparently, either through an incorrectly
executed drawing, or a error on the part of the bench
workers in viewing the drawing, a significant number of
these early pattern boots were assembled in reverse at
the arsenal and shipped out to the units in this
configuration.
The empty rivet hole at
the upper left hand corner of the face of this boot is
evidence that it was improperly assembled with the
suspension strap riveted to the outside face as if it
were designed to hang on the left side of the saddle,
instead of as it was designed to hang on right hand
side. These incorrectly assembled boots apparently
passed inspection and were issued to the cavalry
companies on the frontier as some examples with the
strap still in the incorrect position have been seen
with unit applied inventory stamps, indicating the boot
was accepted into the unit inventory and was stamped
with the unit inventory number in preparation for being
issued to a soldier without anyone questioning the
design flaw. As is the case with this boot, it is
believed the majority of these incorrectly assembled
boots were modified at the unit level by moving the
suspension strap to back of the boot.
In spite of obvious
issue and use, this boot is in full form and has
survived in very good condition with a bright, shiny leather surface overall,
with minimal crazing and isolated spots of flaking.
All of the straps are full length and the buckles are
present. The “ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL” stamp is fully
legible as are the unit inventory stamps, as is the
inspector’s stamp on the end of the upper suspension
strap. The rivet holding the upper strap to the
body has lost the head and burr, and I suspect this may
have been done intentionally during the period of use.
It has been noted that a number of these boots were
modified in a variety of different ways to allow the
straps to be buckled over the pommel of the saddles in
order to carry the carbine across the soldier's lap when
mounted. This placed the carbine in a position for
ready use, and also provided a more secure means of
carrying it as opposed to hanging down the side of the
horse.
This Model 1885 Carbine
Boot is a historical specimen as an example of one of the more
interesting episodes of Rock Island Arsenal history.
(0218) $225 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
NO. 2 MODEL 1885 CARBINE
BOOT – FIRST PATTERN w/ FIELD MODIFICATION - UNIT
IDENTIFIED TO 7TH REGIMENT US CAVALRY,
COMPANY A - EXCELLENT SPECIMEN: That this carbine boot
was issued to a cavalry company on the frontier is
evidenced by the unit applied inventory stamps on the
face of the boot, “A 7 6”, indicating this boot was the
property of Company A of the famous 7Th
US Cavalry Regiment, item No. 6.
This boot features a
typical early field modification directly addressed on
page 149 of the above named reference. The lower body strap has been
moved up the body of the boot and riveted in place. In
this configuration, the two body straps virtually divide
the length of the boot in thirds and evidently improved
the security of the boot when attached to the saddle
than was affected by the original placement of the
straps.
While showing evidence
of having been issued, this boot is in full form and in
excellent condition with a bright, smooth shiny leather
surface overall. The “ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL” stamp is
fully legible as are the unit inventory stamps, and the
inspector’s stamp on the end of the upper suspension
strap. The suspension strap is full length, as is the
lower body strap. The upper body strap has been
shortened with carefully executed cuts that shaped the
tip of the strap – the quality of work one expects to
see from the company saddler and likely done during the
period of use. Shortening the straps of horse equipment
was a common practice to reduce the amount of loose
leather that could snag and cause problems for the horse
and the soldier. Both of the buckles are present with
their original black japanned finish intact.
This Model 1885 Carbine
Boot is a historical specimen not only with the very
desirable unit markings from the famous 7Th
Cavalry Regiment, but also as an example of one of the
well documented modifications executed by the soldiers
serving on the frontier. This is an excellent specimen
that would be difficult to upgrade.
SOLD |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
