1897 Leggings Question

[Niederlander]

Does anyone have the specs for the 1897 canvas leggings?  I'm specifically looking for information on the leather strap i.e. how wide, how is it attached, what buckle.  Thanks!

[pony express]

They've got a lot of research on leggins on the USHistory site, maybe they have this too. (Of course, I'm not saying actually try to order from them)

[JimBob]

Here's a little info with the QM specs,not much there-

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5806&start=0&p=35588&#entry35588

[FTrooper]

1897 Leggings

WAR DEPARTMENT
Quartermaster-General's Office

Specifications for Canvas Leggings.


   

     Material: To be made of fifteen (15) ounce cotton duck, dyed a fast brown, dark in shade--conforming to that if the standard sample--the count of said duck to be forty-six (46) threads to the warp and thirty (30) threads to the filling.
     Measurements: To be made in three (3) sizes, and numbered 1, 2, 3. Measurements as follows, which are taken when the legging is fastened up snugly to the studs, viz:

               No. 1.
     Height at edge of front piece along leather stay when finished, fourteen and one-half (14.5) inches.
     Width at top around calf, outside measurement, fifteen and one-eighth inches.
     Width around ankle, outside measurement, eleven and three-eighths (11.375) inches.
     Width around bottom, outside measurement, fifteen and seven-eighths (15.875) inches.

               No. 2.
      Height at edge of front piece along leather stay when finished, fifteen and one-half (15.5) inches.
     Width at top around calf, outside measurement, fifteen and one-half (15.5) inches.
     Width around ankle, outside measurement, eleven and three-quarters (11.75) inches.
     Width around bottom, outside measurement, sixteen and one-quarter (16.25) inches.

               No. 3.
     Height at edge of front piece along leather stay when finished, sixteen and one-half (16.5) inches.
     Width at top around calf, outside measurement, sixteen (16) inches.
     Width around ankle, outside measurement, twelve and one-quarter (12.25) inches.
     Width around bottom, outside measurement, sixteen and three-quarter (16.75) inches.

     Workmanship: Seams to be not less than one-fourth (.25) inch wide, stayed on the inside with good-quality one-half (.5) inch shoestay webbing, stitched on each edge with No. 30 cotton. Top and bottom edges to be faced with same quality material, five-eighths (.625) inch wide, with double row of stitching of same number of cotton. The front piece to be faced on the inside along its' edge, with a strip of best-quality tanned horsehide, one (1) inch wide, and sizes 1 and 2 to be fitted with eight ( one-fourth (.25) inch grommets, and size 3 with nine (9) one-fourth inch grommets placed at equal distances. The back piece to be reinforced on the inside with a strip of best quality tanned horsehide, one (1) inch wide, and sizes 1 and 2 to be fitted with seven (7) long brass studs, and size 3 with eight ( long brass studs placed at equal distances and firmly clinched. The leggings to fasten with a round braided cord running through the grommets and around the studs. An eyelet to be placed at the bottom of backpiece of the leggings where the lacing starts, and a grommet at the top to fasten the end of the cord. To have a strap at the bottom of good welt leather, seven and one-half (7.5) inches long, fastened on the inside of legging by one (1) row of stitching and two (2) copper rivets, and on the outside by means of a buckle to be secured to the legging by a leather strap with two (2) copper rivets; three (3) holes to be punched on end of strap to receive tongue of buckle.
     Finish: To conform in all respects to the sealed standard samples.

NOTE: It is understood that the mode of fastening the standard leggings is protected by letters patent, therefore bidders will be required to make their proposals with the understanding that the payment of royalty, if any, is to be assumed by the contractor. Bids upon patterns differing from the established standard may also be made, in which case samples must accompany the proposals.

Adopted August 17, 1897, in lieu of Specifications of December 9, 1895 (Nos. 302 and 303), which are hereby cancelled.

JAMES GILLISS,
Deputy Quartermaster-General, U.S.A.,
Acting Quartermaster-General

Chris Fischer
F-Troop

[Niederlander]

Since it never says specifically how wide the straps are, I decided to go with 5/8" since that's how wide the later webbing straps are.  Thanks for the help, Gentlemen!