ENDED Cavalry Valises

[John Castiglia]

Hello
I am trying to find out if there is a market for cavalry valise. I do leather work (20yrs) and would like to expand my product line.
I have pictures of two I finished if there anyone out there is interested. You can contact me at
[email protected]

Thank you

 

[John Castiglia]

Here is one of the cavalry valise I have made. Any ones critique would be helpful. This was copied from an on line auction as close as I could. The original was use by a N.J unit as was stated and by the lettering on the sides in gold paint.

 

[BillO]

I'm not familiar with cavalry gear at all. If I may, what would this have been used for?

 

[John Castiglia]

These valises where used by the trooper as a personal carrying case. The where strapped to the back of the saddle.
From what I have gathered they once where issued but later only as on special order. There are two original ones up for auction by Mc Pheeters auction house. (which I based mind on) That one has history of use by the 1st N.J Regt. I copied it as closely as I could. Mine is lined with canvas, I have not found reference to this as being the norm. However I would guess if later valises where special ordered by an officer, they could have request them lined,ie "the customer is always right."

There are pictures of several types in the book THE HORSE SOLDIER VOL. 1 by Randy Steffen Some are round some are oval in shape.
I hope I have properly answered your question
John

 

[John Castiglia]

This is another style of cavalry valise I made. I think pre C/W (Mexican War?) but very well could lapse over into . The sides are leather cover wood.
I covered the inside of the wood with thin leather as well. Although the original had copper studs on the flap I used brass. Loops underneath are for saddle tie downs.
Anyone who might be interested in such an accoutrement you can contact me here.

 

[BillO]

Thanks for the info. The prewar valise is beautiful.

 

[John Castiglia]

Thank you! From what I have gleaned they were more common than we see at events. Going back to the 18th century.

 

[unicornforge]

Your products look very nice. I would suggest going to a few reenactments that advertise that cavalry will be participating to become more familiar with the equipment that reenactors purchase. There are two issues that come to mind. First that cavalry reenactors around here are encouraged to purchase from a specific list of non-officer equipment, usually from merchants approved by the group's organizers so that the group's equipment is consistent in quality and appearance. The second issue is that the cavalry groups around here discourage extra equipment attached to the saddle because the more stuff attached to a saddle, the more likely the trooper can become entangled when they need to dismount in an emergency. This is likely why you have not seen very many of such leather cases at reenactments. Your workmanship looks very nice, my advice is to stick to the broader market of items that allowed by unit organizers for use by standard trooper/reenactor.

 

[RJSamp]

"The second issue is that the cavalry groups around here discourage extra equipment attached to the saddle because the more stuff attached to a saddle, the more likely the trooper can become entangled when they need to dismount in an emergency."

Huh? Having been on both Morgan's Raids (campaign rides of 60 miles in 4 days) which had a ton of Eastern reenactor cavalry, I find this statement a bit nonsensical. Artillery valises are a moot point as your rarely see mounted drivers guiding caissons and limbers over hill and dale in reenacting. Valises were used by mounted officer's (not troopers) in all branches of service during the ACW, and are used, at least out here, by our officer's with their Grimsley saddles and fanciful shabraque. As Captain and above Officer's don't often dismount to fight on foot, and don't carry a carbine (which is a BIG source of dismounting\thrown entangelements) we don't worry much about the valise

I ride with Terry Crowder at all the big events, he always has a valise and a sword, and never has become entangled with the valise that would have endangered him.....

Truth be known the reason you probably don't see valise's is
a) don't need 'em (you don't carry all of your stuff during a reenacting day on your horse, you simply go back to your tent) b) money (plenty of other things to buy at ALL times as a horse owner)
c) start out with the basic's and don't buy all of the 'extra's'....crupper for example (issued to all federal mounted troops, rarely seen in reenacting).
d) the impression didn't use valises (trooper, bugler, teamster....)

 

[John Castiglia]

Thank you for all for sharing your learned experiences with me. It's what I am here for.
Admittedly my C/W reenacingt has been limited to only a few events down here in Fl. as a tourist (which by the way were terrific)
I have made only two valises as a trail run and for the enjoyment of new work. So the work continues and I look forward to it.