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CIVIL WAR ERA
BREAKAWAY SAFETY STIRRUPS – MATCHED PAIR AS KNOWN TO BE
USED ON CONFEDERATE OFFICER’S SADDLES:
A very unique matched pair of Civil War era stirrups,
these iron, breakaway or safety stirrups are well
documented as having been used during the Civil War (see
page 290, of
The American Military Saddle 1776-1945).
Two specimens are known
to have been excavated from separate battlefield sites,
and a pair of these stirrups are attached to a
documented Confederate Officer’s saddle. On pages 95-96
of Craig Caba’s Historic Southern Saddles is
pictured the Virginia manufactured saddle, fitted with a
“CS” marked pommel shield, that was owned by Capt. W.
Stuart Symington, a staff officer who served with MG
George Pickett. This saddle is equipped with stirrups
identical to the pair offered here. The stirrup straps
are covered with a thin black leather shroud that is now
fragile with age and since the shrouds would not survive
any harsh handling such as would be necessary to change
the stirrups; the breakaway stirrups are believed to be
original to the saddle.
Measuring 5.75” high,
4.5” wide, this iron stirrup featured a split stirrup
strap loop and a hinged tread plate that would allow the
stirrup to “open”, releasing the rider’s foot, should he
be thrown from the saddle. Both of these stirrups are
complete and fully functional with a crisp spring
action.
This is a relatively
rare matched pair of Civil War era breakaway stirrups
that are not found in many collections today, with the
added plus of a firm connection to Confederate Horse
Equipment. (0905) $350
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