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MODEL 1859 CIVIL
WAR CAVALRY CARBINE SOCKET – A SOLID EARLY CIVIL WAR
PRODUCTION SPECIMEN:
Issued with each cavalry saddle, the Carbine Socket
buckled to the “offside” or right “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 does not have any maker’s mark or
inspector’s initials, indicating it may be one of those
produced early in the War before the contractor
identification requirement was instituted. The buckle
still retains the full black japanned lacquer coating
with a shiny finish. This socket is in very good
condition, with the body retaining its full form and the
strap is supple, full length and unbroken. The surface
of the leather on the body and strap has some minimal
crazing, but is stable with no loss of surface finish.
Overall this is a solid, attractive Civil War Carbine
Socket. (0122) $85
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