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MODEL 1916 OFFICER’S FIELD SADDLE STIRRUPS –
MANUFACTURED AT ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL – VERY NICE MATCHED
PAIR: As
pictured on page 315 of
The American Military
Saddle 1776-1945,
the Model 1916 Officer's Field Saddle Stirrup was adopted from the French cavalry
stirrup and was adopted solely for the Model 1917
Officer’s Field Saddle.
I have the pairs and single specimens shown below, each
described with accompanying photographs.
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NO. 1
MODEL 1916 OFFICER’S FIELD SADDLE STIRRUPS –
MANUFACTURED AT ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL – VERY NICE MATCHED
PAIR:
This pair is one of at least three known styles in which
these Model 1916 Stirrups were inexplicably manufactured
– this style with the exaggerated bowed side pieces, a
second style with a less pronounced bow in the side
pieces, and a third style with straight sides. Stranger
yet, two of the styles are known to have been produced
at Rock Island Arsenal.
The bottom of the tread on both
of these stirrups is stamped “R.I.A.” for Rock Island
Arsenal, “U.S.”, and “N.S.” indicating Nickel Steel.
The distinctive diamond shaped cut out in the tread is
surrounded with a series of chisel cuts which created a
roughened surface to provide better purchase for the
rider’s boot. This is a matching pair and both are in
excellent condition with neither showing significant
wear nor any damage.
Model 1916 Stirrups are relatively scarce, whether
singles or a pair, and that this is a matched pair and
in such nice condition, this is a perfect opportunity to
complete your officer’s saddle. (0227) $350
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NO. 2
MODEL 1916 OFFICER’S FIELD SADDLE STIRRUPS (PAIR) – VARIANT STYLE: While identical in the form and style of the Model 1916
Stirrup shown in the 1940 Quartermaster Corps drawing, this particular pair is cast of either
bronze or brass. The bottom of the tread on one of the
stirrups is stamped “INENDENCIA (?) De GUERRA”, possibly
a Spanish arsenal or maker.
This pair may have been on
a US Army officer’s privately purchased French Saumur
Officer’s Saddle – the genesis for the US Army M1917
Officer’s Saddle. Many of these French saddles were
purchased and brought back by US Army officers returning
from a European assignment.
These stirrups both feature
the distinctive diamond shaped cut out in the tread.
This is a matching pair and both are in excellent
condition with neither showing significant wear nor any
damage.
The Rock Island Arsenal manufactured Model 1916
Officer’s Stirrups are very difficult to find on the
market and in addition to completing a French Saumur
saddle, these would serve nicely to complete your M1917
officer’s saddle. $225
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NO. 3
MODEL 1916 OFFICER’S FIELD SADDLE STIRRUP
– VARIANT STYLE: Very similar in form and style
to those pictured in the
1940 Quartermaster Corps drawing, this
Model 1916 Officer's Stirrup features a tread having an “arrow
head” cutout versus the diamond shaped cutout shown in
the Quartermaster Corps drawing. It is representative
of the several different variations of the 1916 Stirrup
that were used to outfit a US Army officer’s privately
purchased French Saumur Officer’s Saddle or US Army
M1917 Officer’s Saddle.
The stirrup is in excellent condition, showing no
significant wear or any damage. Un-fortunately the pair
was separated, but perhaps the matching stirrup is
to be found and reunited on a French
Saumur saddle or Model 1917 officer’s saddle.
SOLD
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