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299

Lot of Four US Cavalry Horse Combs, Brushes, and Picks

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
Lot of Four US Cavalry Horse Combs, Brushes, and Picks
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Lot Includes: One Model 1908 Curry Comb: Very solid specimen in excellent condition.  This comb was last in the progression of metal toothed, leather backed, curry combs that the army introduced with the Model 1885, and then the Model 1904 curry combs. Both of those earlier models featured integral iron protrusions or “ears” which were intended to serve as hoof picks. These protrusions had limited usefulness as hoof picks, however they excelled at punching or wearing holes in the saddlebags where they were carried. The solution to this problem emerged with the publication of the 1908 edition of Ordnance Memoranda No. 1719, “Horse Equipments and Equipments for Officers and Enlisted Men", which introduced the Model 1908 curry comb featuring a folding hoof pick.  The flat iron pick folded back onto the top surface of the handle, shielding the point of the hook and keep it from wearing against the inside of the saddlebags.  This design was obviously the answer as this same flat folding hook design was incorporated into the last of the army’s curry combs, the Model 1913 which was issued initially with the Model 1912 experimental horse equipment and continued in use through the remaining years of the US Army horse cavalry. The solid, full form leather handle bears a very legible embossed “US” in the oval, and is further stamped around the rim of the oval “1”, “5”, and “5”, quite probably unit applied inventory numbers.  The body of the comb is stamped with a clear, legible arsenal stamp under the leather handle - “Rock Island Arsenal” with the date stamp of 1912 and the inspector’s initials “T.C.C.”. The medium brown leather surfaces are all smooth with no crazing or flaking. The iron hook pick and toothed panels were made from decarbonized steel, and the lack of carbon made for softer steel more subject to corrosion. All of the iron panels are present and full form on the face of the comb, as is the hoof pick mounted on the top of the leather base; however all show slight surface corrosion. The panels retain all of the teeth and the hook moves freely.    Many of these items of horse care and maintenance were sold into the civilian surplus market and were simply used up through the years, and finding decent specimens today has become difficult.   One M1908 Curry Comb: Same as above dated 1912. The solid, full form leather handle bears a very legible embossed “US” in the oval, and is further stamped around the rim of the oval "M" "5" "CAV" "63" , quite probably unit applied inventory numbers. The body of the comb is stamped with a clear, legible arsenal stamp under the leather handle - “Rock Island Arsenal” with the date stamp of 1912 and the inspector’s initials “H.E.K.”. The medium brown leather surfaces are all smooth with no crazing or flaking. One M1912 Leather Horse Brush: "US Oval" Stamped and goes with the M1912 Saddle One M1912 Mane Comb: in excellent condition, retaining all the comb teeth. One Model 1913 Curry Comb: A comb with integral hoof pick was introduced with the 1912 experimental horse equipments which are most closely associated with the Mexican Punitive Expedition in 1916.  As these Model 1913 curry combs were used through the remaining years of the United States horse cavalry, finding an example in this condition is almost impossible. Goes with the M1912 saddle. **Overall Leather, canvas, comb teeth, metal, and brush hair are all in excellent condition.** $400-$600
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