Another old Pic. ????

[WCF3030]

I'm sure someone will fill in the blanks for me.

[J Miller]

I've seen pics like this before. I think, therefore I'm frequently wrong, he's cavalry. Very late 1800s to early 1900s.
Love that saddle holster for the trapdoor carbine.

Joe

[Don McDowell]

Cavalry trooper from around 1890?
Looks like that ol Bay has been into some stuff, all the scars on the shoulders and legs, looks like a deer fly must of raised that welt on the shoulder.

[Gun Smith]

I understand that the McClellen (sp) saddles were very uncomfortable. Anyone here with first hand knowledge? My timeline guess would be just a little earlier, say 1880's. I'd say the pistol butt belongs to a Colt SAA. Most likely a poor country boy getting away from the farm. Ain't no fat on that boy either.

[Malamute]

Not sure, but I think the carbine socket is the later type, like 1880's, and seems to have a Buffington rear sight. Its a posed pic, as opposed to a candid "in action" type, as he doesnt have his carbine sling on, or saddlebags etc.

Good picture.

[RIHMFIRE]

looks south of the border to me

[WCF3030]

Cavalry trooper from around 1890?
Looks like that ol Bay has been into some stuff, all the scars on the shoulders and legs, looks like a deer fly must of raised that welt on the shoulder.

I noticed that. It had seemed like that horse had been through alot.
One of my fondest memories was being on a horse after it was bite by a horse fly.

[horsesoldier03]

Looks to be a pic taken while in Garrison perhaps getting ready to go to a range training event. I beleive that to be a fact because as mentioned previously, not saddle bags or Carbine sling. I am sure that would be required if not desired in the event they were on patrol. Definately a poised shot but I have little doubt the Soldier or the horse has been in a skirmish or two. An excellent example of horse flesh, with a neck that thick he wont win many horse races but I am sure he is conditioned well and would last his rider a couple days hard ride until a fresh mount could be had.

[Don McDowell]

I understand that the McClellen (sp) saddles were very uncomfortable. Anyone here with first hand knowledge? .

About the most uncomfortable thing you'll ever sit in. But at least you don't need to worry about your crotch getting all sweaty in the summer heat ridin one of those things They were cooler on the horses backs tho.

[PaperPatch]

I've seen this photograph as well, though not certain....Ft. Robinson, Nebraska is what comes to mind here.

[Hobie]

That holster is the 1885 model. Looks like he's wearing a BLUE Mills belt, too. Wouldn't that be 1896 or so (Span Am war)? State volunteer?

Somebody once told me that a McClellan could be a very comfortable saddle and that he liked it. Now, I'm no kinda horse person and don't know squat about horses. However, I do know the tree is covered in rawhide and was designed by Gen. McClellan and used from the ACW right up through the end of the horse mounted cavalry. There are some of those saddles still in use today albeit not in the military.

[pokey]

Cavalry trooper from around 1890?
Looks like that ol Bay has been into some stuff, all the scars on the shoulders and legs, looks like a deer fly must of raised that welt on the shoulder.

I noticed that. It had seemed like that horse had been through alot.
One of my fondest memories was being on a horse after it was bite by a horse fly.

fondest?

not the word i would have picked.
i think i get your drift,,,,sand dune,or any old hard spot the bitee dumped me.

[LeverBob]

Just my impressions:

That Hoss (can't call it a nag cuz' he's a Vet) looks like he's been shot or arrowed. At the least he shows the war maps of a fighter. Who cares if he's fast, he'll stomp you into the dirt & whinny all the way back to the feed bag with a dozen arrows sticking out of him. His head is big enough to see the 'Injuns comin' over the hill while feeding out of a 5 ga. bucket.

The young man looks like he's been thru the wringer...tough as wang leather & twice as strong. Not someone to mix it up with.

I agree he's not going out to ride patrol...a posed shot. Makes me wonder what it would have been like to ride along that pile of American steel. ???

LB

[Don McDowell]

Almost looks like Keogh's horse, (the only survivor of Custers command).

[gamekeeper]

Almost looks like Keogh's horse, (the only survivor of Custers command).

I thought that too, I compared the photo of Capt. Keogh's horse "Comanche" and they are similar. However, the text stated that Keogh's horse was never ridden again after its wounds healed.
Comanche died in 1891 aged 28.

[WCF3030]

Cavalry trooper from around 1890?
Looks like that ol Bay has been into some stuff, all the scars on the shoulders and legs, looks like a deer fly must of raised that welt on the shoulder.

I noticed that. It had seemed like that horse had been through alot.
One of my fondest memories was being on a horse after it was bite by a horse fly.

fondest?

not the word i would have picked.
i think i get your drift,,,,sand dune,or any old hard spot the bitee dumped me.

It was like being strapped to a 500cc dirtbike redlined with no handlebars.

[WCF3030]

Just my impressions:

That Hoss (can't call it a nag cuz' he's a Vet) looks like he's been shot or arrowed. At the least he shows the war maps of a fighter. Who cares if he's fast, he'll stomp you into the dirt & whinny all the way back to the feed bag with a dozen arrows sticking out of him. His head is big enough to see the 'Injuns comin' over the hill while feeding out of a 5 ga. bucket.

The young man looks like he's been thru the wringer...tough as wang leather & twice as strong. Not someone to mix it up with.

I agree he's not going out to ride patrol...a posed shot. Makes me wonder what it would have been like to ride along that pile of American steel. ???

LB

[KirkD]

That saddle scabbard must be awful hard on the muzzle and front sight.

[GonnePhishin]

I'll go along with Rimfire in the south of the border flavor.

[765x53]

Read all about it, "Packing Iron" page 38.

[Buck Elliott]

That carbine boot has a relief for the Buffington rear sight, there is a small shield of brass at the opening of that relief to help it hold shape, and permit easier insertion of the carbine.

IIRC, the photo is of a cavalry recruit, made in garrison.

As far as the McClellan is concerned, they can be quite comfortable if they fit... I "earned my spurs" in one my great uncle owned. I could saddle up with that one by myself, before I was big enough to manhandle his Army packer's saddle.

[Charles]

Yep! Thats a Yankee cavalryman alright. Ugly little dude!

[JerryB]

I rode a McClellan for a couple of years in my early teens, it was all I had and was alright by me.
Charles, he might be an ugly little dude to you but I reckon he could well put a bullet tween your eyes.