US Army WW1 CAVALRY M-1904 LEATHER SADDLE BAGS SPALDING 1917 Vtg Horse Riding
The US Cavalry was held in reserve during WW1, ready to exploit an infantry breakthrough that never came. The Cavalry was used mostly to escort officers and supply convoys, and to provide guard for headquarters. Cavalrymen carried their spare gear and horse grooming implements in the classic M-1904 leather saddle bags. This pair of US Army WW1 CAVALRY M-1904 LEATHER SADDLE BAGS are in good condition, with some scattered drying, darkening, and surface cracking to each side of the middle connector. Some whitish and dark spot soiling to the lower left closure flap of the right bag, moderate surface cracking to the middle and right closure straps of that right bag.
A surface crack to the middle left closure flap of the left bag, some surface cracking to the tip of the right closure strap of that left bag, some upward curling to the tip of the left closure strap of the left bag, some verdigris to the darkened brass rivets around each interior top bag, some scattered darkening to the canvas liners. The original lighter color of the leather remaining visible on each bag under the closure flap. And with some overall age wear evident (most pictured).
Otherwise, the bags are in fine shape, with no other damage to the tough pebbled brown leather construction. Most interestingly, they bear the classic oval "US" stamping with serifs at each main flap, sport intact leather strap and darkened brass buckle closures at each side, and are marked at the lower right connector with their maker, the legendary "SPALDING", along with the date, "1917". They boast the original, fully intact canvas liners, and are a fine example of very rare, original US Army WW1 CAVALRY M-1904 LEATHER SADDLE BAGS. A great relic of a bygone era, that of the legendary US Cavalry, traveling "forty miles a day on beans and hay". The item "US Army WW1 CAVALRY M-1904 LEATHER SADDLE BAGS SPALDING 1917 Vtg Horse Riding" is in sale since Tuesday, July 19, 2016. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW I (1914-18)\Original Period Items\United States\Personal, Field Gear".The seller is "abramsantiques" and is located in Burlingame, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.