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MODEL 1859 CIVIL
WAR CAVALRY CARBINE SOCKET – A SOLID CIVIL WAR
PRODUCTION SPECIMEN:
Issued with each cavalry saddle, the Carbine Socket
buckled to the “offside” or right hand “D” ring of the
saddle’s quarterstraps. The carbine was carried by the
trooper suspended from the sling worn across his body
attached to the carbine by the iron snap swivel. When
the trooper was mounted, the barrel of his carbine was
fed into the socket attached to his saddle and so
arranged, kept the muzzle of his carbine under control,
and prevented it from slapping against the side of the
horse. This pattern of Carbine socket continued in
service after the Civil War and into the Indian Wars
through the early 1880’s until replaced by the Carbine
Boots.
The majority of these
sockets that exist today are stamped with the maker’s
mark of the civilian manufacturers who seem to have made
the majority of the sockets produced, particularly those
made after 1863 when the makers were required to
identify the pieces they manufactured. This socket is
so marked on the tip of the strap, stamped “METZGER
PHILA.”
This socket is in
excellent condition, with the body retaining its full
form and the strap is supple, full length and unbroken.
The surface of the socket and strap leather is overall
smooth with a bright finish and only some minor flexing
on the strap as is normally encountered. The buckle
still retains the full black japanned lacquer coating
with a shiny finish.
This is certainly an above average
specimen, and will be a nice piece to display on your
Civil War McClellan Saddle or with your carbines.
(0436) $100
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