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MODEL 1903
OFFICERS & UNIT IDENTIFIED
ENLISTED SABRE HANGERS: As
used with the Model 1903 Garrison Leather waist belt
and all of the Mounted Mills belts that were provided
with the sabre chape, these Model 1903 Officers and Enlisted Sabre
Hangers were standard with all the mounted soldiers in
the army.
Listed below with individual sets of
photographs are a number of these hangers that I have
acquired. Some of the enlisted sets are specifically marked to a
particular unit. Each one is described in detail
as to the unit identification, the condition, and the
price. When ordering, please be sure to specify
the hanger in which you are interested.
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NO.
1
MODEL 1903 SABRE HANGER – INTERESTING OFFICER'S
VARIANT: This Model 1903 Sabre Hanger, while
following the same general pattern as the Enlisted
version, features a pair of sabre straps sewn to the
hanger, and at the lower end, have a matched pair of
sewn-in brass swivel sabre hooks. This was either a
private purchase piece obtained from one of many of the
commercial uniform suppliers, or a set the officer had
the local unit saddler make for him to use with his
belt. The sabre hooks are fully functional with a nice
aged patina. The russet leather straps are dark brown
and the leather surfaces are excellent with no crazing
or flaking. The reverse of the lower fold of each strap
is stamped "VST", likely the initials of the
leatherworker who made the straps. This is a very
nice and unique saber hanger to complete an officer's
mounted belt. (0220) $100
  
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NO.
2
9TH CAVALRY
MODEL 1903 ENLISTED SABRE HANGER:
This Model 1903 Enlisted Sabre Hanger
features clear russet leather with no crazing or
flaking. Both brass fastening buttons and leather
sliding keepers are present on both straps. The short
strap is legibly stamped “ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL" and with the inspector initials “TC”. The
short strap is also unit inventory marked “9 G 04”,
indicating "9TH
Regiment, G Troop, Inventory number 4".
This is a very nice saber
hanger to complete your mounted belt with the added
value of an interesting
unit affiliation. (0321) $100
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NO.
3
MODEL 1903 ENLISTED SABRE HANGER - RIA STAMPED
DATED 1903:
This Model 1903 Enlisted Sabre Hanger
features bright clear russet leather with no crazing or
flaking. Both brass fastening buttons and leather
sliding keepers are present on both straps. The short
strap is legibly stamped “RIA” (Rock Island Arsenal),
dated “1903”, the first year of production, and the inspector initials “TC”. The long strap is stamped “?
5”, perhaps for the 5TH
Cavalry Regiment, and then "57", for the unit inventory
number. This
is a nice saber hanger to complete your mounted belts.
SOLD
 
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NO.
4
MODEL 1903 SABRE HANGER – INTERESTING OFFICER'S
VARIANT: This Model 1903 Sabre Hanger,
while of the same pattern as the Enlisted version, features
an unusual set of split steel sabre hooks that suggest
this hanger made have been modified by an officer to use
with his belt. The sabre hooks retain most of
their original brown japanned enamel coating and are
still functional. The russet leather straps are
dark brown and the leather surfaces have no crazing or
flaking. The brass fastening buttons and leather sliding
keepers are present on both full length straps, and the
short strap is stamped “RIA” (Rock Island
Arsenal), dated “1904”, and the inspector initials “HEK”,
with some additional unit inventory stamps.
This is an interesting saber hanger to complete an
officer's
mounted belt.
SOLD
  
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NO.
5
TROOP B, 1ST NEW YORK CAVALRY MODEL
1903 ENLISTED SABRE HANGER: The short strap of
this Model 1903 Enlisted Sabre Hanger is stamped “TR. B.
NY. 71”, indicating Troop B of the New York Cavalry, and
unit number 71. Given the era of issue of this piece
from the early 20th Century, I believe this
was Troop B of the 1st New York Cavalry,
which had its origins in several troops of cavalry
raised in the National Guard during the early 1890s;
Troop A, in Manhattan, Troop B, upstate, and Troop C, in
Brooklyn. Troops A and C saw extensive state service
during the Brooklyn Trolleymen's Strike, 12-28 Jan
1895. In 1898 Squadrons A and C formed the basis for
the formation of Troops A and C, New York Volunteer
Cavalry, which saw active service in Puerto Rico.
Shortly after the passage of the Dick Act, in 1903, the
three squadrons were grouped into the 1st New York
Cavalry. The new regiment served on the Mexican Border
in 1916, and was inducted into federal service again in
1917, for World War I.
This set is in very good condition with clear, light
colored russet leather with no crazing or flaking, only
some light scuffing on the high points and at the bend
of the lower loops. The brass fastening buttons
and leather sliding keepers are present on both straps.
The short strap is also stamped “RIA” (Rock Island
Arsenal), dated “1903”, under the unit applied stamping.
This is a respectable saber hanger identified to a well
known National Guard unit that will be a nice addition
to your mounted belt.
SOLD
HISTORICAL NOTE: I
thought you
might find this interesting:
The Militia Act of 1903, also
known as the Dick Act, was initiated by
United States Secretary of War
Elihu Root following
the
Spanish–American War of
1898, after the war demonstrated weaknesses in the
militia, and in the
entire U.S. military.
U.S.
Senator
Charles W. F. Dick, a
Major General in the
Ohio
National Guard and the
chair of the
Committee on the Militia,
sponsored the bill which passed on January 21, 1903. Under
this legislation, the State militias were given federal
status, and were required to conform to Regular Army
organization within five years. The act also required
National Guard units to attend 24 drills and five days
of
annual training a year, and, for the first time,
provided for pay for annual training. In return for the
increased Federal funding which the act made available,
militia units were subject to inspection by Regular Army
officers, and had to meet certain standards.
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