shabraque?

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Anyone have a pattern for a period correct shabraque? Know of anybody producing or able to produce one? No I'm not going to use one myself, but it would be cool for an early war officer's impression... Thanks, Zack

[Mike Ventura]

Re: shabraque?

Zack -I'll be interested in what turns up here - I looked into this a couple of years ago and could only find one mainstream resource.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: shabraque?

Mike, what really sucks is I had the opportunity to measure and trace a pattern off of an original a friend of mine had. Unfortunately, it is now in a museum and is beyond touchy feely and I lost the pattern, while we were moving... The wool cloth was very fine, like broad cloth; the backing: very thin kid type leather and its edges were bound with black like the back. The yellow border was only about ¾” wide which is unusual from what I’ve seen. My loss. Z

[Sut Lovingood]

Re: shabraque?

Zack,
If you are familiar with the book "THE AMERICAN MILITARY SADDLE, 1776-1945" and may like the shabraque on the cover PM me, as the museum I work in owns it...and the saddle, etc. in the photo.
We have a couple of CW era shabraques in our collection. As for who is making them, I do not know the answer to that. I will however get the information, pics, etc. you would need to reproduce it.
Rae W.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: shabraque?

Rae,

THANK YOU! I would appreciate measurements very much! Also is it’s possible for an above picture. For reference on how the pommel and cantle "slots" lay…

I do have the book; I bought it when it came out. Unfortunately, I feel that both The American Military Saddle and Horse Equipment of the Civil War Era have much to be desired about their sources. I understand some private collections wish to remain unnamed, but public museums... Free advertisement! If an item is from a private collection just label it as such. It makes verifying the providence of items difficult at best, especially if the particular item is not ID’ed.

The shabraque I had access to, was from the estate of one of the wagoneers for the 6th Illinois Cavalry. We surmised that it may have been General Grierson’s but with no way to prove it. Although my friend still has the original heart martingale that came with it.

Sincerely, Zack

[Sut Lovingood]

Re: shabraque?

Zack,
I would be happy to.
Will take a week to do, as we are in the process of display changes...but the saddle display with that shabraque is not one of them. I will go in during closed hours to obtain what you need. This is in a private collection owned by artist Dan Bates. But, the Museum of the Horse Soldier collection is open to the public.
I agree with you about some of the text in both books mentioned. I think the books serve a purpose as long as we are aware of their shortcomings and share corrected information.
There are 3 shabraques that I feel would be of value to your quest. I will post pics as I take them.
Rae

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: shabraque?

Again, thank you very much. I'm considering making one to be used by a friend of mine during the 150's... The expense will not be much, it's the construction detail and correctness I'm really concerned with. Zack

[1sgtscot]

Re: shabraque?

Don't want to steal the thread, but I am in the same process. My wife is the seamstress and I am in the cav. We want to create one of these as well, but do not have the pattern. Any pictures would be great, but if anyone can get measurements or even a hand drawn pattern that would help a great deal.

Thanks a bunch,
1st Sgt Scott, 1st Tennessee Cav (Federal)

[Mark Choate]

Re: shabraque?

Zack,

Did you ever have any success with finding anyone producing correct schabraques? I find myself in need of one for early war, Western theatre.

thanks,
Mark

[sharpshooter]

Re: shabraque?

I know this vendor does not have the exact pattern you are looking for but it might be start

http://www.hussarsaddlery.com/Shabraque.html

[garyjd]

Re: shabraque?

You may want to add this gentleman to your searches. ~Gary

http://www.stuartliliesaddles.com/

[Mark Choate]

Re: shabraque?

Thank you, gentlemen for your posts.

I was familiar with Stuart Lilie, but not the other vendor.

regards,
Mark

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: shabraque?

I too know and have talked to Stuart. The key here is/was "Pattern" not a ready made article... I've seen too many done incorrectly and I have images of plenty. I actually drafted a pattern from the one in Sweeny's Museum out near Wilson's Creek when it was still in a private collection. Unfortunately, it was lost in a move. I have the dimensions, etc., of the one I want to recreate it but not the lay of the seat where the cantle comes through the shabraque itself. I believe I'll do some rough experimentations with canvas to work it out the bugs prior to committing to cutting wool. Thanks, Z

[Wild Rover]

Re: shabraque?

The MoC has two of Lee's I photo'd this year...plan to have one made at somepoint, but that somepoint is not now....too many other irons in the fire.
They offer free "diagrams" of items in their collection to members...might be a start...

Pards,