Original Items: Only One Lot of 3 Available. The tack (harness, saddles, bridles, halters, etc.) used in World War 1 had changed little since the U.S. Civil War in the 1860s fifty years before. For that matter, there have been few changes in the hundred years hence, though saddles and tack are much more padded for both horse and rider, and synthetic materials, not yet invented in 1917, may be used for padding or in place of leather.

An experienced horseman today would easily recognize all the parts of a WW1-era saddle or harness and could quickly put it on their modern horse.

The saddlebag was the mainstay of the cavalryman. It enabled them to carry a sleeping roll, rain gear and if space permitted, a spare set of pants and jacket. The saddle bag itself was full of essential items such as ammunition, a few emergency rations, mess gear, toiletries, horse grooming equipment and personal possessions if possible. Usually the enlisted man carried everything he owned in his saddlebag and if he was able to read and write perhaps a journal. When out on long patrols or moving from one outpost to another they had to be self efficient for days and possibly weeks as they patrolled the western territories.

Saddlebags of these designs were used from around the time of the American Revolution into the Korean War. The United States still had mounted cavalry units at the beginning of World War II where these were widely used.

All three pairs of the saddle bags are in lovely, service worn and used condition. There are no US stamps on any of the bags that we can find and we only found one 1918 date. The leather is dried out and could use some conditioning if you would wish to do so. The two similar pairs of bags appear to be complete and with mostly intact stitching and buckles. The largest of the 3 appears to be Pre War era due to the construction and level of degradation. We have not been able to fully identify the bags but they all appear to be American construction and origin.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.