Equipment US
US Cavalry M1879 Whitman Pattern Saddle Bags
Equipment US
US Cavalry M1879 Whitman Pattern Saddle Bags
Item #62700 : Original period manufacture. Black leather saddle bags introduced for use with the Whitman model saddle, also seeing service on the venerable McClellan saddle of the Indian Wars era. These sturdy old bags are amazingly complete, each with an external pocket on the body, and each retaining their lace-in canvas liners. The leather liner lacing has gone the way of the buffalo, these could be replaced with newer leather lacing if you needed. All of the brass buckles and fittings are present, the flap closure straps have not been shortened or broken off, and while stiffened from age, the bags themselves are very pliable. There is a soldier done, cross or X behind each standing loop reinforcing plate, so as to allow their use on the McClellan saddle. The stamped US in an oval remains fairly clear on each flap cover, and overall the bags exhibit normal age and wear and have not been over cleaned with chemical preservatives. No dry rot or tearing of the leather, just a wonderful old pair of service used saddle bags ready for display.