Cavalry

[Shoka]

What weapons were standard issue to Cavalry men?

What weapons might they add to that?

Where how was pistol holster attached?

I was taught left side backwards from when you are on foot. Was that how they did it?

 

[johan_steele]

It depends entirely upon who, where and when. US & CS weren't all that different until the last year of the war.

Ideally a Cavalry Trooper would have 1 pistol, 1 sabre and 1 carbine. The reality is that such was rather rare. Weapons were scarce until near the end of the war so it was not uncommon for one troop/company of Cavalry to have only pistols, another only sabres and a third carbines.

The number of different models of carbine & pistol available is rather dizzying.

The idea of a Cavalryman w/ multiple pistols is mostly moonshine, while it happened it was quite rare and more often than not the prevue of the guerrilla or partisan who was more of a bandit than a soldier. Neither side had a lot of respect for them. Holsters were usually attached to a belt at the hip butt forward. Pommel holsters were also still in use as well though more than likely it would be one or the other instead of both.

Sabres were either worn on a belt or attached to the saddle.

Carbines utilized a sling and hung muzzle down into a leather cup that prevented it from bouncing around while riding.

Rifles utilized by the Cav typically were carried slung over the back and would be used while dismounted.

 

[johan_steele]

As a note one of my favorite CDV's of a ACW Cavalry trooper is of IIRC an Iowa trooper towards the end of the war. If it weren't for the Sharps carbine and the fact that he was sitting on a horse he could easily have been mistaken for an Infantryman.

 

[1NCCAV]

I believe troopers of the 3rd NCMI were recorded as having a brace of pistols and a Spencer rifle. Apparently the exception? Not sure how well mounted they were.

 

[1NCCAV]

Right hip, butt forward was the standard for pistols. That way the right hand can make a "twist draw" or the left hand can cross draw. If the saber is worn, it has to be on the left hip when mounting from the left side. That was regulation but I'm sure there were a lot of variances.

 

[Shoka]

So was the sabre more go to than the pistol ? I guess it would depend on situation.
I forgot about the sabre
So pistol hung from right hip to not interfere with drawing of sabre?

 

[redbob]

Prior to the war, a young cavalry officer by the name of J.E.B. Stuart was issued a patent for a saber attachment point that would allow for the sabre and scabbard to be easily removed from the sword belt. A number of these were purchased by the Union prior to and during the war, making Stuart possibly the only Confederate General that developed and received financial gain from a piece of Union equipment.

 

[redbob]

I believe troopers of the 3rd NCMI were recorded as having a brace of pistols and a Spencer rifle. Apparently the exception? Not sure how well mounted they were.

There were units on both sides that acted more as mounted infantry than cavalry, examples being Wilder's Brigade and Forrest's troops. The horses were to merely get them to places that they were needed quickly.

 

[UCVRelics]

Here is a great photo of a US Cavalry mans weapons issue. Except for the artillery sword it is period correct.

 

[Shoka]

That is a great photo, thank you.
My uncle Bob hocked our family cavalry sword many years ago.
Dang him.

 

[johan_steele]

The Library of Congress photo collection is priceless for seeing what the men actually looked like, how they wore their gear and what the carried. Very few are actually of troops in the field but there are numbers of those pics.

https://history.army.mil/museums/fieldMuseums/fortRiley_USCav/index.html

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/civwar/

 

[Jobe Holiday]

A nice grouping!
J.

 

[Patrick H]

If the young man in my avatar really is who I think he is, his photo was probably made upon his enlistment in August of 1862. Note his sunburned face. He is straight off the farm. Judging from the way his shell jacket appears to button, I believe this image is flip-flopped. He was probably holding his French revolver in his left hand, his holster was mounted butt forward on his right hip, and his saber-bayonet was on his left hip. By the time of his discharge in 1865, he had been issued a saber and a Colt revolver--both of which he purchased and took home (and, Boy, would I like to know where they are now). By the way, his shell jacket might appear gray to this photo emulsion, but the young man enlisted in a union cavalry.

 

[Shoka]

OK this makes sense to me. Thanks

 

[WJC]

That is a great photo, thank you.
My uncle Bob hocked our family cavalry sword many years ago.
Dang him.

Not uncommon. Most here are almost fanatical about our past, far more interested in heirlooms than the general population.

 

[Patrick H]

With regard to the young man in my avatar, I forgot to mention something obvious: The presence of the saber-bayonet on his hip suggests that he was certainly issued a carbine, as Johan Steele indicated previously.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

IMHO, the belt rig and bayonet are nothing more than photographer's props, as is the pin-fire revolver. The reason I say this is because the belt rig is for the Harper's Ferry M-1855 Rifle and which was also used with some of the M-1841 Rifle alterations. With the holster being attached to the belt I believe the revolver goes with it. Hence my opinion that they are all photographer props.
J.

 

[WJC]

IMHO, the belt rig and bayonet are nothing more than photographer's props, as is the pin-fire revolver. The reason I say this is because the belt rig is for the Harper's Ferry M-1855 Rifle and which was also used with some of the M-1841 Rifle alterations. With the holster being attached to the belt I believe the revolver goes with it. Hence my opinion that they are all photographer props.
J.

Agree. It is easy to read too much into the accouterments since so often they were stock props. One is probably better off just focusing on the person and his clothing. All else is likely not his.
One can imagine a photographer's shop in some small town, maybe just a temporary set-up, with a line of young soldiers outside, just come over from the nearby camp and eager to buy a photo to send home to loved ones.

 

[Shoka]

His expression is very interesting.

 

[Patrick H]

Quite possible. Photographers used props. The accoutremenThis photo was most likely made in Glasgow, Missouri.

Agree. It is easy to read too much into the accouterments since so often they were stock props. One is probably better off just focusing on the person and his clothing. All else is likely not his.
One can imagine a photographer's shop in some small town, maybe just a temporary set-up, with a line of young soldiers outside, just come over from the nearby camp and eager to buy a photo to send home to loved ones.

That is almost exactly as I have imagined it.