Civil War Artillery Driver's Saddle Tree

Saddle tree with rawhide cover and saddle loops. New York: E. Waters, circa late 1863. Brass maker’s tag affixed alongside an ink inspector's stamp of “P.V. Hagner, Lt. Col. Ordn. (Ordnanace)”.

The inclusion of Hagner’s inspector stamp dates the piece from late 1863 when Hagner began supervising Watervliet Arsenal. The facility was a main supply point for artillery gear and harnesses to the Union army. Saddle trees were typically finished with their outer leather, trim, and saddle seats at the receiving arsenal before being issued to soldiers in the field or garrison.

Horse-drawn artillery required specially made saddles to fit the harness set up for six horses to draw the guns, limbers, and caissons. Civil War batteries used Grimsley pattern saddles for the left-side driver and right-side “valise” which was a smaller saddle utilized to carry the driver's valise. In-house shipping is not available for this lot.



[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Accoutrement, Militaria, Saddles, Ephemera]