Saddler Sergeant Impression/Research

[WolfWalker]

Howdy the camp,
I'm new to CAS, and I'm working on my outfit. I've decided (since I'm working on my own gunleather), that I'd like to do an Indian Wars U.S. Cavalry saddler/saddler's sergeant. I need help on the research.I'm looking for information on the tools,equipment, methods, and anything else to make a fairly accurate outfit.
  For my gunleather, I'm using the Jim Simmons 1863 flap holster pattern, but I'm going to add the Mexiczn loop skirt to it as was done during the Indian Wars to fit the wider prairie belts of the time. Any help I can get would be greatly appreciated-Wolfwlalker

[Old Top]

Wolfwalker,

Carrico Leather has the holsters and belts you will be looking for.  As far as the uniform Quartermaster would be what I would recomend for the jacket, Coon Creek for the shirt and pants.  Boots you are on your own, I found mine at Sears and they started life as motorcycle boots with the strap.  As the uniform was pretty much changed around during this time you can use a mixture of Civil War and Indian War, but I do not beleive that the Saddler Sergent stripe came out untill the uniform changes of 1872.  Any thing else I can help with drop me a line.

Old Top

[Troublesome River]

Thanks for the assist, Old Top.

As far as the belt/holster, I'm thinking about just making my own holster/belt.  I'm planning on using the 1863 holster pattern made by Jim Simmons, and either resizing the belt loop to regulation, or adding the Mexican Loop as the saddlers did to use up all the civil war surplus(Like the holsters WolfEars sell).  The rest of the outfit I'm making up as I go along.

Thanks again, hope you have a good holiday weekend.

[St. George]

After the adoption of the 1872 Uniiform Regulations, the rank of Saddler Sergeant was adopted within a year.
The design in the angle above the chevron features a saddler's knife, handle up.
The 1884-pattern dress chevron had the gold lace placed in such a way as to give the knife added realism - the lace representing the handle being veritcal, that representing the ferrule - across, and the lace comprising the blade was crimped to run across the curved blade axis.

One Saddler Sergeant was authorized for each Cavalry Regiment until 1899, when he was replaced by a Saddler - who wore only the knife.

Although only the Cavalry was authorized Saddler Sergeants, the Philadelphia Depot ordered 95 pairs of this chevron for the Artillery in 1900 - they were never issued, and were sold at auction after 1902.

As to tools - C.S. Osborne was a supplier to the leather trade - as were many others.

The tools were generally shelf stock that was purchased as needed and as has been mentioned - little difference has emerged over time - chief among the 'changes' being the use of stainless steel in the blades.

Avoid 'that' and you should be able to accumulate quite a bit of equipment fairly reasonably - once you know 'what' it is that you're looking for, and a copy of Ordnance Memoranda No.18 will show you what to look for - and original material can be found damned near everywhere - antique shops, estate sales, flea markets, et al...

To further enhance your overall Cavalry Saddler's knowledge - you really 'do' need the four-volume set by Randy Steffens - 'The Horse Soldier'.

The U.S. Cavalry Museum has an excellent display of a saddler's work area - they're located at Fort Riley, Kansas.

As to 'creating your own' - remember - the Saddler Sergeant would've been working from the authorized Patterns for the most part - and not busily creating his own.

Those 'Mexican Loop' styled holsters were not common by any means and were never adopted  - though the inventor - Lt. Col. James W. Forsyth - certainly tried his best - and they 'did' get tested by the Cavalry Board.

The Miller-Fechet - as 'envisioned' by Capt. E.G. Fechet and made by Sergeant William Miller of the 8th Cavalry was never adopted and no known example exists.

Building 'experimental' holsters will require the buyer to do more actuall research when creating his Impression (not a bad thing) so as to have some veracity as to the 'why' of his wearing non-Regulation equipment.

If I can be of further assistance - ask - or send me a PM, and I'll do what I can.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!