Sunday, October 6, 2019

Cavalry Forge-Cart, Model of 1874


This is the Cavalry Forge-Cart, Model of 1874.  The intention was that each Cavalry Company was to have a cart, pulled by a single horse in shafts, carrying the equipment of the blacksmith and the saddler.  In case of hard going, there was an arrangement to attach an additional horse in shafts to aid in the transport of this vehicle.  It didn’t exactly work as it was too heavy for one horse and not heavy enough for two.

Ordnance Memoranda No. 18, SPECIAL ORDERS Nos. 238 And 253, A. G. 0., 1873, On  Horse-Equipments,  Cavalry Equipments and Accoutrements, Saddler’s and Smith’s Tools and Materials, and Standard Supply-Table of Ordnance Stores for the Cavalry Service, Washington, GPO, 1874, pp. 62-65


RESOLUTION No. 14.  Cavalry forge-cart.

Resolved, That the Board recommends the adoption of a traveling forge cart to be issued to each company of cavalry, for the purpose of carrying the blacksmith’s bellows, fire-box, anvil, coal, blacksmith’s tools, horseshoes, nails, and iron; also for the purpose of carrying the extra ammunition, saddler’s tools, and supply of leather for the repairs of horse-equipments. The size of the cart, and the different compartments and their dimensions, together with the measurements of the bellows and fire-box, to be designated in the plans and drawings submitted, and suitable harness to be furnished with each cart.

Pages 141-47 show line drawings of the cart.






Cavalry Cart, Model of 1874, recently acquired by the Field Artillery Museum at Fort Sill, OK.   



The 6" X 6" block is modern.


Interior of the lid of the cart.


Markings on the interior of the lid of the cart.
"BUILT WATERTOWN 
ARSENAL, MASS
1881"


The lid of the cart from above.


The near side of the cart showing the crossed sabers.  
The insulated drinking cup is modern.


Close-up of crossed sabers.


 The right front of the cart.


The rear of the cart showing the recess where the blacksmith’s forge was stored.  The forge is missing.  If I understand it correctly, the bellows were replaced by a centrifugal blower that obtained its power from a handle connected to a ratchet.  


Original saddler’s tools, nails, buckles and rivets stored in the cart.  The nails are in their original paper packages.  I was not able to explore the cart thoroughly, so I don’t know what else might be in there.  

Note the original round knife.


Original blue web girths.


Saddle nails in their original packaging being exhibited by a WWII re-enactor.  


Various original straps.