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MODEL 1874 PALMER INFANTRY BRACE SYSTEM – VERY
NICE EXAMPLE: As described and illustrated in
Ordnance Memoranda No. 19, and worn in concert with the
Model 1874 Infantry Waist Belt, the Model 1874 Palmer
Infantry Brace System was one of the last of several
attempts by the 19th Century Ordnance
Department to provide the foot soldier with a load
bearing system that would distribute the weight of his
equipment.
The Model 1874 Palmer Infantry Brace System provided the
soldier a uniform method of carrying his McKeever
ammunition boxes (2), haversack, clothing bag, mess
gear, cup, blanket, and bayonet. Consisting of shoulder
straps that descended down the front of the soldier’s
body to connect to the brass standing loops on each side
of the Model 1874 Infantry belt plate, a back pad that
would distribute the weight and attaching billets to
mount the haversack and clothing bag, what appears to be
a fairly confusing collection of leather straps when
viewed in hand, provided an orderly harness when worn.
In spite of the well intentioned design, the troops
rejected the system out of hand and it was eventually
withdrawn from service by 1878.
This brace system is in very nice condition and is
complete with all of the integral straps, buckles and
billets. The straps which attached to the belt plate
and the two with brass hooks which served as the front
haversack straps, often missing from these sets, are all
present and full form. All the straps are full length,
live and supple, and do not have any weak points. The
leather is overall smooth, with some minor flexing and
crazing to the surface where the straps are designed to
bend. There is a legible Rock Island Arsenal cartouche
in the center of the back pad.
Although appearing to be somewhat in the style of “Rube
Goldberg”, in fact and in practice, the Model 1874
Infantry Brace System was a serious attempt to relieve
the chafing and stress inflicted on the Infantry soldier
by his considerable equipment load in the field, and it
has a definite place in any complete Indian War
collection. (0526) $160
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