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MODEL 1904
ARTILLERY STIRRUPS – NICE MATCHED PAIR:
As pictured on page 307 of The American Military
Saddle 1776-1945, the Model 1904 Artillery Stirrup
was likely introduced for the Horse Artillery to provide
an alternative to the wooden hooded stirrups issued to
the cavalry which could be easily crushed between the
limber pole and the horses’ bodies in the gun carriage
traces.
Very similar to the
Model 1863 Artillery Stirrup introduced during the Civil
War, the Model 1904 Artillery Stirrup is cast brass with
the addition of a steel plate inset into the brass tread
at the time of casting and is without question, the most
attractive US Army Stirrup of the 20th
Century.
This pair is in
excellent matching condition, with no sign of
significant wear and no damage. The bottom of the tread
of both stirrups is stamped “R.I.A.” for Rock Island
Arsenal, “U.S”, and the dates of manufacture. The dates
have been blurred, whether due to wear or intentionally
for some unfathomable reason, but enough of both dates
remain to see that the dates are consistent with the
dates on other known examples of this stirrup. Both
stirrups are in very good matching condition, with no
sign of significant wear and no damage. An unusual
feature that is seldom found - the steel treads are not
only intact, but they both still retain much of the
original brown japanned lacquer finish which was applied
at the time of manufacture to protect the steel from
corrosion. This lacquer finish was not particularly
durable and would wear away with any significant use, so
that the finish remains on this pair is a remarkable
added value.
With a very brief
service life, being replaced by the Model 1912 Metal
Stirrup only eight years later, these stirrups are quite
scarce. These attractive brass stirrups would certainly
dress up a Model 1904 Artillery McClellan Saddle and
make for a very unusual display. (0117) $275
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