Civil War U.S. Cavalry "thing"

[Skinny]

I bought this idem at an antique store when I was a kid. It was sold as something to do with Civil War cavalry. Something that goes on a saddle, I believe. What I would like to know is, what exactly is it, and does it have any value? It's made of thick leather and five inches long. Thanks for any info!

[talesofthesevenseas]

It looks very much like the the strap that can hold the tail end of the latigo (cinch tie) on a saddle. It keeps the loose end from flapping around. But usually these have a slot in them for the latigo to go through. See the part of this diagram marked latigo carrier:

[talesofthesevenseas]

I think I found what it is. It might be a turnback on a harness or breastplate, but I'm having trouble finding one quite like it online.

[KC]

Yepper from a saddle!  Try and find a pic myself.

When my brother made Colonel with 1st Calvary many years ago he had to ride in on a horse (full garb and swords) for his change of command.....they still ride horses and have the wagon etc.  Which is then followed by tanks, etc. Gun salutes.... Quite an event.

[talesofthesevenseas]

I've pulled up some cavalry saddle photos and haven't been able to find this exact piece, but what I'm thinking is that it is the breast plate piece that would go in the center of the horses chest and would have a strap through it back to the saddle, and one running between the horse's legs. This keeps your saddle from slipping back when you go uphill. I can't think what other purpose a piece like this would serve. It's been a lot of years since my equestrian days and I'm a bit rusty on this!

[KC]

Haven't had a chance to go through this one by one....but maybe you can....http://www.rsdmilitaria.com/cavalry.php

Believe it or not they do have books about this http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0806121025/ref=nosim/azrahistoricalre#reader

[Nikkishewolf]

Could it be a piece for a running martingale?

Best Regar, Nicolle

[Skinny]

KC, I looked at that website, and I didn't find anything on or off of a saddle that looked like this piece. I also checked out saddles in yahoo images. No luck. Whatever it is, a collector might like to have it to go with their saddle and tack. It doesn't look like something rare to me, so I would think it would be easier to find something like it somewhere. It could be from a later time, I suppose. Just to look at its construction and the old leather, I wouldn't go past the Indian Wars with it though. It may have been just a decoration to hang off of a strap somewhere too, and served no practical purpose.

[KC]

I will try and send a pic to my brother and see what he has to say about it....he may have buds that can give some more insight to it.

[Skinny]

Thanks...

[cogar]

Don't ya'll forget now that the US Military used horses for pulling wagons, etc., so that thingy could have been from the harness, maybe like for a reins "guide" (holder).

[Skinny]

Don't ya'll forget now that the US Military used horses for pulling wagons, etc., so that thingy could have been from the harness, maybe like for a reins "guide" (holder).

Yeah, I've started thinking along those lines as well. I think if it was cavalry, it would probably have the crossed sabers on it. It could be from artillery or an officers horse as well.

[talesofthesevenseas]

I think I've got your answer- It looks to be a part of a spur strap! Check it out:
The style is slightly different, I think the thing to do is to try to find some old Cavalry spur straps to compare it to.

[Skinny]

That spur strap looks a lot like mine, but mine doesn't have a strap with holes for a buckle on it. The tail just folds around the back and attaches to itself with a sort of a rivet. It looks to me like it's maybe supposed to hang on something. I dunno.

[sapphire]

Skinny, your post came to mind when I saw this pic tonight. 

On the harness just at the horse's rear leg..............co uld this be what you have?