The comparative simplicity of the mechanism and the ease with which the magazine can be applied make it a valuable and destructive weapon. The trials made with this rifle in the presence of the Board were most satisfactory.

II .CAVALRY EQUIPMENTS.

The Board is of the opinion that the regular equipment of a cavalry soldier should be as follows:

And that the following articles be issued when required :

Halter chains;

Stirrups with sockets for guidons;

Forage sacks.

THE SADDLE.

In taking up this subject the Board, while remembering that the MeClellan tree has been of great service, is satisfied that a change is now necessary. This conclusion is due in a measure to the experience of the Board, but chiefly to the opinions of a great number of officers who are riding saddles of various kinds, many favoring the different forms of the

California or Mexican tree, some the English tree, others the Grimsley or the Jenifer. These discriminations against the McClellan saddle cannot be groundless, and are no doubt due to the shape of the tree and the uncomfortable "forked" seat which it occasions.

In seeking to obviate this and other objections the Board has endeavored to find a saddle combining the merits of the various trees now in

use.

This, it is believed, has been done in the selection of the Whitman tree, which the Board feels quite confident will meet with general favor in the Army. It is known that a large number of officers, more especially those who have served on the Pacific Coast, are strongly in favor of a horn in the pommel of the saddle. The Board, therefore, recommends that of the first 1,000 saddles manufactured 500 be made with and 500 without horns-service in the field to determine the final adoption or rejection of the horn as a part of the tree.

While retaining the carbine socket the Board has placed a carbine loop in the pommel, believing that to be the most convenient place to carry the carbine on scouts and long marches. In fact, this is the universal custom of horsemen on the frontier, both white and Indian, and in many cavalry regiments company officers permit their men to carry their carbines in a similar way. The Board still deems it best, however, to retain the carbine sling and swivel for use on foot. The Board recommends the carbine socket designed by Sergeant Henry Hartman, First Cavalry. believing that it possesses decided advantages over the present patterns in the facility with which the carbine can be liberated by simply pressing the carbine outward, a great safeguard were a rider to be thrown with his carbine slung.

The Board recommends the adoption of the hair girth, believing it safer, more durable, and less expensive than the web girth. The letter of Lieutenant Colonel J. McAllister, of the Ordnance Department (see docket), in regard to the practicability of supplying the Army with the hair cincha, and its merits as compared with web girths, has convinced the Board that the objections made to the hair girths by the Board of which Colonel I. N. Palmer, Second Cavalry, was President, were based on erroneous impressions; and as this change, aside from the reasons already given, is considered desirable by a large majority of officers, it is recommended.

It is believed that the cincha-strap fastening is better and more secure in every respect than buckle fastenings, and as its use requires but little

The Board has considered it advisable to omit the stirrup-hoods, believing them to be on the whole unnecessary and at times dangerous to the rider. The dimensions of the stirrup have been increased to give better protection to the foot, to enable the rider to wear overshoes in cold weather, and to give increased strength to the stirrup.

Description.

The Whitman tree, according to the patterns submitted: The parts to be smooth and well painted with white lead; the pommel and cantleares and straps for stirrup-loops to be of wrought-iron let into the wood, and to be fastened thereto by iron rivets. The tree to be covered with black leather; to be without skirts; one brass oval to be attached to center of cantle by brass screw-pins not less than inch in length. All buckles, rings, and loops to be of brass, and dispersed as follows: Two loops on front and rear ends of saddle-bars; two loops on under side of cantle, the loops in front and underneath the cantle to have loose rings 14 inches in diameter.

Girth-straps 11⁄2 inches wide, to be secured in slots by five screws each; length of front strap, from head of slot to fold in ring, 104 inches; back strap, ditto, 134 inches; these straps to be attached on both sides to circular rings 24 inches in diameter; safes of stout leather, of the pattern submitted, 54 by 5 inches, to be placed under the rings and to be sewed to the girth-straps on both sides; two cincha-straps to be sewed to rings and to be 5 feet in length. 14 inches in width for four feet from rings, thence tapering to ends inch wide.

The girth to be of hair, 7 inches wide at center, 5 inches at ends, and 22 inches in length, with circular 3-inch rings (in place of D rings) guarded by stout leather safes. Safety-straps 14 inches wide, with buckle at center. Coat-straps, to be five in number, and placed as follows: four to be of present pattern, attached to front loops and cantle loops; the fifth to be double, to pass through center of cantle, and to buckle on each side of cantle projections. Stirrup leathers to be as at present.

Stirrups to be of wood, of the present pattern, without hoods, the sole 54 inches wide and 44 inches in depth.

The carbine loop, of the pattern submitted, to be attached by buckle and stud to pommel.

Carbine socket, of the pattern submitted, to be of spring steel, of an inch thick and 2 inches wide, covered with leather, with two straps and buckles.

THE CURB BRIDLE AND BIT.

The Board recommends the adoption of the Whitman halter bridle and curb bit, believing them to have advantages over those now in use. While excellent for its own purposes the bridle can also be used as a halter by simply detaching the bits, thus reducing the weight and simplifying the field equipments. By attaching the halter strap to the safety strap of the girth it may be used, when desirable, as a standing martingale. The bit, while having sufficient strength, is six ounces lighter than that now in use, and by means of the swivel snap-hooks can be removed or attached to the bridle with the least possible delay. In adopting the Whitman halter bridle the Board desires to call attention to the following facts, viz: That the headstall is simply a combination of the bridle and halter heretofore in use in the Army; that in the arrangement and the assembling of the parts Lieutenant Whitman has made improvements, on account of which he claims patents which may increase the expense of manufacture beyond necessary limits.

Should this prove to be the case, the Board recommends that a halter bridle be adopted similar to that presented by Lieutenant Whitman, divested of those parts for which patents have been secured by him; thus modified the bridle herein recommended will be similar to the old Army halter made of bridle leather with brass buckles and rings.

Description.

The headstall to be the Whitman bridle halter, of the pattern submitted, to be of black bridle leather, with brass buckles and rings; and to be composed of one crown-piece 14 inches wide, having a buckle and strap sewed on each side 5 inches from the pendant ends; these straps each to support a brass rosette with the letters U. S. raised on the center, and of the patterns submitted. To the rosettes the brow band and throat-latch are sewed; the check pieces, nose-band, and chin-strap to be sewed to two bit-rings 14 inches in diameter; one double gullet-strap stitched on both sides 84 inches in length to be attached to throat-latch by standing loop, and to chin-strap by bar and ring 14 inches in diameter. The width of all straps except the crown-piece to be inch wide. The reins to be as at present.

An examination of this bridle shows that the crown-piece is used to support the bridle by means of the two rosettes, which, with the ends of the straps to which they are buckled, are prevented from chafing or rubbing

extends below them and hangs free. The relative position of the bit-rings below can be adjusted by the straps sewed to the crown-piece and the bridle quickly shortened or lengthened.

THE CURB BIT AND CURB STRAP.

The bit to be of good shear-steel, brass finished, and of the pattern submitted; to consist of two branches having eyes at upper ends for curb straps and at lower end loose rings for reins; one mouth-piece securely riveted to branches, and having two swivel snap-supporting hooks. All bits to be of same size with mouth-pieces, inch in diameter, and 5 inches between the branches; the height of arch to be 1 inch. The curb strap to be 19 inches in length and inch wide.

THE SADDLE-BAGS.

Owing to their shape and position on the saddle the present saddlebags are objectionable and the subject of much criticism. The complaint is that when packed they chafe the legs of the rider, that they are heavy. expensive, and unsuitable. In the opinion of the Board, the California saddle-bags overcome these objections and meet with more favor than any other, and they are accordingly, in a modified form, recommended for adoption.

Description.

To be composed of two pouches with flaps and one seat. Pouches to have detachable canvas linings and to be 11x16 inches in the clear. The off-side pouch for clothing, the near-side pouch for rations, with inside pocket for knife, fork, and spoon, and also three small canvas bags for coffee, sugar, and salt, respectively. Both pouches to have pockets 6x7! inches in the clear, sewed to the outside-the off-pocket for the currycomb and brush, and the near for the-meat ration can, which should be put in an oil-silk bag closed with gathering string.

The flaps of the pouches to cover the outside pockets and to be secured by three buckles and straps, the flaps to be 16x64 inches in the clear, and to have the letters U. S. stamped on the front.

The seat of the bags to be 17 inches long at back and 24 inches wide at middle, to fit smoothly over the rear saddle-bars, to have one hole and oval for saddle-bag shed and two slits with ovals for rear loops. To steady the bags, a strap inch wide and 6 feet long to buckle to two small rings riveted to bottom of the bags and passing under the horse. The Board makes the following recommendations in regard to other articles: