Cavalry Saddle Trousers

[Sgt Major Barber]

Greetings.  I am to the point that I can only get out to shoot a few times per season.  Does anyone know or recommend a supplier that has cotton sky blue trousers, with the tan canvas butt?  I don't want to wear wool as when I shoot here, it's hot and with drawers underneath, might sit me down early due to heat.  Also don't want to pay a hundred or more for trousers with a stripe for just a minimum number of occasions.  Any help or alternate suggestions for what I could do to get the appearance would be very much appreciated.   I wish for Indian War style (don't know the difference 'tween them and CW style)....probably won't make much difference to me.  Just want them cavalry pants with a stripe to stick into my cavalry boots.
Thanks.
Two Dot Wrangler

[Trailrider]

Greetings.  I am to the point that I can only get out to shoot a few times per season.  Does anyone know or recommend a supplier that has cotton sky blue trousers, with the tan canvas butt?  I don't want to wear wool as when I shoot here, it's hot and with drawers underneath, might sit me down early due to heat.  Also don't want to pay a hundred or more for trousers with a stripe for just a minimum number of occasions.  Any help or alternate suggestions for what I could do to get the appearance would be very much appreciated.   I wish for Indian War style (don't know the difference 'tween them and CW style)....probably won't make much difference to me.  Just want them cavalry pants with a stripe to stick into my cavalry boots.
Thanks.
Two Dot Wrangler

Sir:

I take keyboard in hand to answer your inquiry of today. I have worn the light blue Levi's for the last 20+ years with my Indian Wars field uniform.  They do NOT have the "foxed" seat down the inside of the crotch and thighs, but since I am an officer, I could purchase my own trowsers (sic), and putting the leather seat in them would (1) make them stiff and probably irritate the heck out of my legs, and (2) would probably prove hotter in hot weather.  Even an enlisted trooper could have had his choice of how to configure his britches IF he could afford to have them made for him.

What you'd need to do is remove the belt loops and sew on buttons for "braces" (suspenders) to the waist band.  You could also remove the left rear pocket.  (I leave the pockets on and the belt loops as well, as I hang a bunch of stuff off the belt.

As to the stripes down the leg seams, I bought some yellow-gold cloth at a fabric store, and sewed them as follows:
1) Fold the cloth over lengthwise like you'd fold a business letter and then stitch it along the edges so you form a stripe of the proper width.  I did this on a sewing machine

2) Attach the stripes to the trowser seam by hand stitching (it's a pain, but if done right, it will last).

The width of the stripes depends on the rank you hold.  After 1872, a cavalry corporal's were 1/2" wide; sergeants 1" wide; officers, 1-1/2" wide, yellow in color.  Infantry sergeants: dark blue.  Ordnance sergeants: crimson 1-1/4" wide

For more information see Randy Steffan's "The Horse Soldier 1776-1943," vol. II

Keep in mind that in the field, you could get away with about anything you could get your hands on, including leftover CW clothing, saving your regulation clothing for garrison life.

I remain,
Your obedient servant,

[Major Matt Lewis]

Contact The Fort in Lincoln Nebraska.  They have exactly what you are looking for.

[River City John]

The Fort did carry the light-weight cotton sky blue trowsers. They do not have stripes, though. I believe that they had so many requests for stripes that they may know of some sources who will have them attached. Striping material is available from the like such as Fall Creek Sutler, James Country Mercantile, Dixie Gun Works. The stripe runs alongside and behind the leg seam in placement.

[Grapeshot]

Greetings.  I am to the point that I can only get out to shoot a few times per season.  Does anyone know or recommend a supplier that has cotton sky blue trousers, with the tan canvas butt?  I don't want to wear wool as when I shoot here, it's hot and with drawers underneath, might sit me down early due to heat.  Also don't want to pay a hundred or more for trousers with a stripe for just a minimum number of occasions.  Any help or alternate suggestions for what I could do to get the appearance would be very much appreciated.   I wish for Indian War style (don't know the difference 'tween them and CW style)....probably won't make much difference to me.  Just want them cavalry pants with a stripe to stick into my cavalry boots.
Thanks.
Two Dot Wrangler

I'll agree with Trailrider with the Skyblue Levi's.  S&S Firearms, www.ssfirearms.com, have the 1-1/2 inch trouser stripes.  As for the Canvas seat:  I bought two yards of canvas from a fabric store in a weight and color that I felt would be comfortable as well as look good, and had my seamstress sew it on my trousers and supplied a picture and drawing of how I wanted it attached to the seat of my trousers.