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VERY RARE MODEL 1872 DYER CARBINE CARTRIDGE POUCH
– A KEY EARLY INDIAN WARS PIECE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION:
The successor to the Model 1870 Dyer “E” Pouch, the
Model 1872 Dyer Carbine Cartridge Pouch was manufactured
in very limited numbers as part of the Model 1872
(Trial) Cavalry Brace System, and like the Model 1870
Dyer Pouch, is seldom encountered. While it appears
there were more of the Model 1872 Dyers produced than
the 100 Model 1870 “E” Pouches, the 1872 pouches are
every bit as rare, if not more so, than the sling
mounted “E” pouches. It appears that while the majority
of the Dyer “E” Pouches surviving the trials were
recalled by the Ordnance Department, the Model 1872
Dyers may have remained in the hands of the troops for a
longer period of time – perhaps right up to the time the
Model 1874 Dyers began to be issued – and therefore the
Model 1872 Dyers suffered from a higher attrition
resulting in its scarcity today.
The Model 1872 Cavalry Brace System proved to be very
unpopular with the soldiers, and although the shoulder
straps and integral carbine sling were abandoned, the
Model 1872 Cavalry Belt with its detachable sabre
straps, and the Model 1872 Dyer Carbine Pouch were very
well received and those concepts were retained as the
foundation of the Model 1874 Sabre Belt and Model 1874
Dyer Carbine Pouch.
The Model 1872 pouch featured over sized belt loops to
permit the pouch to pass over the brass standing loops
on the Model 1872 Brace System Belt, and it retained the
wide gusset design of the Model 1870 Dyer Pouch which
allowed the body of the pouch to expand and contract in
relation to the number of cartridges in the pouch. The
front of the body of the pouch was designed with a low
profile tool pouch secured with a brass button,
eliminating the pistol ammo pouch that was integral to
the front of the Model 1870 Dyer Pouch. A separate
pistol ammo pouch was provided with the 1872 Brace
System.
This pouch is in very good condition. The leather is
overall very smooth with a bright shiny surface and it
remains very pliable. The embossed “US” still very
strong and legible on the front cover and the arsenal
inspector’s stamp is visible on the point of the opening
tab. There is some of the normally light crazing
across the top fold of the front cover, and the surface
of the gusset is crazed, but neither area is suffering
any surface loss or flaking. There are some shallow
worm tracks on the top of the fold of the front cover.
The interior of the pouch still retains some of the
original white sheep’s wool lining. All of the seams
and the belt loops are intact, and this pouch presents
as a very strong specimen.
The rarity of the Model 1872 Dyer Carbine Pouches cannot
be overstated. These early Indian Wars era pouches
almost never appear on the market, and seldom in this
remarkable condition. This key link in the development
of the Dyer Cartridge Pouches is a very attractive
specimen and one that will be a notable addition to your
Indian Wars Cavalry collection.
SOLD
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