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MODEL 1870 DYER “E” POUCH – VERY RARE EARLY INDIAN
WARS TRIAL SET COMPLETE WITH PROPER SLING AND CARBINE
SNAP SWIVEL – EXCELLENT SET: Tested during the
1870 Equipment Trials, this Model 1870 Dyer “E” Pouch,
complete with the proper sling, and unique carbine snap
swivel, is the easily the rarest and most sought after
of the early Indian War accoutrements, eluding many of
the most ardent collectors. One of the several patterns
issued during the famous 1870 equipment trials, there
were only 100 specimens of this pouch manufactured at
the Watervliet Arsenal. As these pouches were issued to
the troops in the field for trial, and were issued to
several different units during the course of the trials
and evaluation, it is not surprising that few of these
pouches - perhaps no more than a total of twenty
specimens - survived the trials to be found in
collections today.
The forbearer of the series of Dyer pouches that would
serve the army through the 1880’s, this pouch was
designed by Chief of Ordnance Alexander Dyer. The “E”
designation was derived from the letters assigned by the
Equipment Board to identify each sample of the various
patterns of cartridge boxes and pouches submitted for
testing. Intended to serve several requirements of the
mounted soldier, the main compartment of the pouch was
large enough to carry 60 rounds of .50-70 or 70 rounds
of Spencer ammunition. The small pouch on the front of
the main compartment was intended to carry the soldier’s
pistol ammunition, as well as the maintenance tool for
the weapons. Finally, the pouch was mounted on a
leather sling fitted with a carbine snap swivel to
secure the soldier’s carbine as the earlier and wider
carbine slings had been employed. The pouch was also
fitted with two belt loops that would allow the pouch to
be worn on the soldier’s waist belt rather than the
sling.
This set has survived in very good condition in spite of
definitive evidence that this particular pouch
experienced service in the hands of the soldiers. The
pouch is complete with all the components, to include
the two side “ears” on the main flap. The gusset is
intact and still supple. Both the outer and inner flaps
are complete with little if any wear evident around the
holes that closed over the finial. The outer flap is
legibly stamped “US WATERVLIET ARSENAL”. The leather
surfaces are overall very good, with some minor crazing
on the outer flap. The surfaces of the inner flap and
body are smooth and bright with no crazing. Both belt
loops and both brass sling loops on the reverse are
present and show no signs of weakness or wear. The
sheepskin lining is still present on the interior of the
back panel and while worn, some of the white wool is
still present. There is a well executed
modification to the integral closing tab on the outer
flap, likely the result of the bulk of a full load of
ammunition making it difficult to keep the pouch
closed. The ingenious remedy is attached with well
executed stitching and is a simple, yet effective
solution. An extra billet was sewn to the tip of the
flap below the finial hole with a short second layer of
leather to form a catch or stop. A second lateral strap
is sewn to the face of the pouch body just above the
gusset that forms a loop. To close the flap, the flap
billet is fed through the lateral strap, and the leather
stop on the billet prevents the billet from pulling
through the loop unless manipulated by the soldier. The
quality of the stitching indicates that this
modification was likely executed by an experience
leather worker at one of the arsenals or depots, rather
than by a private soldier.
The sling is full form, measuring 1 5/8” wide, 74 ˝”
long and is complete with both leather keepers, the two
brass adjusting hooks and the brass frame adjusting
buckle. The leather surface of the sling is clear with
no crazing or flaking and only minimal flexing in the
expected areas where the sling folds through the brass
loops. The carbine snap swivel is unique to this set,
as the interior dimension of the swivel and roller
assembly is 1.75” wide versus the 2.5” of the Civil War
Sling Swivel and the 1.5” of the Model 1885 Swivel.
These Model 1870 snap swivels are typically marked only
with an assembly number “9” or “G” inside the snap and
that character is present on this specimen. The snap
swivel is in very good condition with much of the
original blue finish present.
The rarity of this Dyer “E” Pouch and Sling set cannot
be overstated and they are the type of collectable that
normally passes quietly from one collection to another,
never being offered on the open market. This set is the
preeminent Indian War accoutrement, and will be the
perfect addition to display with one of the 1870 Trial
carbines.
SOLD
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