Schuylkill Arsenal Trousers

[27thNCdrummer]

Pards,
I was wondering if all Schuylkill Arsenal trousers had watch pockets? Mine made by Lynn Bull don't so I was just wondering.

Thanks,

[roundshot]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Trousers

http://www.gallarock.com/GettysburgFedMountedPants.html

[FlatLandFed]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Trousers

Ok, enquiring minds (or at least one confused one) want to know: are these extra buttons put in the inner cuff in lieu of toting a housewife or are they for affixing gaitors? If for a strap to keep the trowsers into a boot while riding, wouldn't you just need one per side of the cuff, not two right together?

Or am I just misreading what are the suspender buttons on the waist band?

What gives?
Paul Hadley
Unsewn and Unwashed Masses Mess

[FlatLandFed]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Trousers

Here's another view from the series:
What am I seeing (or NOT seeing)?
Paul Hadley

[westcoastcampaigner]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Trousers

Hello,

I believe the buttons on the cuffs were for the attachment of straps that would go under a trooper's feet before putting on a pair of boots to prevent his trousers from riding up and out of the top of his boots while riding. Not sure on this as I don't do cavalry so correct me if I'm wrong. But to stay on topic here...yes, SA trousers would have been constructed with a watch pocket, I have never seen an original pair that contradict this. Thanks.

Josh Sawyer
Liberty Rifles

[roundshot]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Trousers

The pair illustrated are mounted trousers, hence the seat reinforcement as well. However, they are SA made and differ only in those details.

[Andrew German]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Trousers

Greetings:

Just checking in with the mounted impression to confirm that SA trousers did have watch pockets and that the cuff buttons were a feature of mounted trousers. Theoretically, a pair of instep straps was issued to each trooper so they could strap their pants down. In formal units this was required at dress parade. By regulation troopers were to wear their trousers over their boots, and the straps kept them down. In practice, many troopers chose to tuck their trousers into their boots except during formal occasions. Examples of the straps have survived, but it is not clear how widely they were actually used.

Andrew German

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Trousers

http://www.gallarock.com/GettysburgFedMountedPants.html

Superb stitching reference...thanks!

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Trousers

And things of beauty they always ain't. This particular example had the pocket bag made from fatigue blouse flannel.

[AZFarrier]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Trousers

Paul the straps that cover the riding shoes or boots had two botton holes on each side, there fore there were 4 bottons per trouser cuff. An example is in the Echoes of glory (US) page 107, top right corner.

Ok, enquiring minds (or at least one confused one) want to know: are these extra buttons put in the inner cuff in lieu of toting a housewife or are they for affixing gaitors? If for a strap to keep the trowsers into a boot while riding, wouldn't you just need one per side of the cuff, not two right together?

Or am I just misreading what are the suspender buttons on the waist band?

What gives?
Paul Hadley
Unsewn and Unwashed Masses Mess

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Trousers

Hi,

The Schuylkill Arsenal footman's trousers that had mule ear pocket, did have a watch pocket.