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MODEL 1917 OFFICERS FIELD SADDLE – A NICE SPECIMEN
IN VERY GOOD CONDITION: The Model 1917 Officers
Field Saddle was a product of the ongoing Cavalry Board
of the 1912-1917 period and this pattern returned to
that of the Model 1912 Officers Saddle, but with fixed,
non-pivoting side bars. While William Goodrich, Master
Harness Maker at Rock Island Arsenal was credited with
this design, in reality it combined features of the
Model 1912 Saddle and the French Saumur tree. This new
design was tested in 1916 and formally adopted for all
mounted officers in 1917.
Although the officers purchased their saddles as opposed
to the saddles which were issued to the enlisted men,
the officers were able to send their saddles back to the
arsenal for refurbishing when it became necessary. This
saddle has a brass tag affixed under the skirt
indicating it was repaired at the Jefferson Quarter
Master Depot in December of 1938.
This saddle has survived in very nice condition with all
of the components present and all of the seams intact.
The leather has an even mahogany color without being oil
soaked, retaining a solid feel to the leather and a very
good smooth shiny surface overall with only very minor
dings from use. All of the hardware is present to
include the pommel pocket strap loops on the leading
edge of the pommel, the pairs of cantle bag “D” rings on
the lower edge of each of the rear extensions of the
side bars, and the standing coat staples on the back of
the cantle. Also present are the two nickeled swivel
bases and plates by which the specially designed pommel
pockets attached to the saddle. All three of the
girthing straps are present on each side under the
skirts and the leather covering the underside of the
saddle is fully intact and equally as smooth as the
upper surfaces. The only sign of significant wear is
found on the rear points of the side bars.
This wear
is not uncommon, and it has been suggested it was due to
rubbing against the horse’s lower back and/or points of
his hips. These points of wear are not particularly
unsightly, nor do they detract from the saddle on
display, but are noted here for the purposes of a full
description.
A matched pair of the
correct Model 1916 Officers Field Saddle Stirrups depend
from a set of original Model 1916 Stirrup Straps. The
stirrups are full form with a bright finish and both are
well marked on the bottom of the tread “U.S. J.Q.M.D.
N.S.” with the matching dates of 1937. The stirrup
straps, with the proper nickel buckles, are full length
with no breaks or tears, and have a generally smooth
shiny surface with many of the hole number stamps still
legible.
These Model 1917 Officers Field Saddles remained in
service from World War One through the end of the horse
cavalry and proved to be a well made saddle - both
serviceable and an attractive piece of horse furniture.
It is also a saddle associated with the interwar officer
corps who would provide much of the leadership during
World War Two. This is a very nice specimen which was
gently used and well cared for through the years and it
would be a very nice addition to your saddle
collection. SOLD
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