U.S. Cavalry Saddle Bags

We have two "pair" available at the moment; both pretty nice.  Since there are two bags per set, even though they are riveted together, each set constitutes a "pair".

We've had about 6 of these over the years; not always easy to come by .... 

Anyway, 

A.  1914 World War 1 era  Each bag is marked "U.S.".   There is a small inscription on the rigging crossmember "Rock Island  1914  HEK"

Copper rivets on the joinder piece at the top are add on's; looks like a second piece of leather was layed over the original bag joinder and then riveted.  Not a bad job but definately a patch.  Likewise, someone used some wire to re-join the bottom outer of the left bag to the backing.  I didn't even notice it before I got these ... but it really is obvious. 

Leather is probably 60-70%; mostly plyable.  Canvas bag liners (a rarity) are still in and intact.  Overall, a reasonable good set of display bags ... or a marginal set of usable bags.  For almost 110 years old ... a testament to the quality of the production back when.

Three of the buckles are brass (probably the originals) and three are steel roller buckles.  Interestingly, the right bag has 2 brass and one roller; the left bag 2 roller and 1 brass.  Straps are really quite pliable.

"B"   No visable date, but probably a bit newer than the first bags.  Still with the proper "US" stamped onto each bag.  Leather is a bit stiffer; probably 40-45% but all the seams are still intact.  No extraneeous rivets.   5 brass buckles; one (center right bag) is MIA.

Someone has carved "HONDA" into the right bag and a couple of rivets have been replaced, but again, a nice historic set of US Cavalary saddle bags.