The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-22
ARMY EQUIPMENT.

A VARIETY OF ARTICLES SUBMITTED FOR THE
APPROVAL OF THE MILITARY BoARD-GoLD
LACE HOLDS ITS OWN.
The Army Equipment Board had another session
yesterday in the former departmental headquarters
Houston street. General Miles. the chairman. be-
leves that to-day's session will be the last in this
city. The Board intend proceeding this afternoon
Washington. where they expect to prepare their
report for submission by the first Of next month.
Among the articles of equipment sent in
to the Board from New York manufacturing
establishments were black felt helmets for winter
service. and white to be worn in summer These
articles mounted with the usual brass ornaments.
including number plate. the national and curb
chain chin strap. To the remark that they seemed
too light resist sabre cut the agent Of the helmets
quickly responded that during the Franco Prussian
only three men. including both sides. had been
killed by sabre cuts in the head IL this head dress
the three arms Of the service several specimens Of
hunting shoes. intended to be worn BY general
service men on the Plains were submitted. but they
presented no features that might not be found in
the dcerstalkng laced CATERS. familiar to all in
the north of scotland Some good drab colored
clothing. cloth lined. was examined. 1t app
pcarcd unite nearly all the desirable qualities
quircd in campaign uniform, and often sighed Tor by
the espsnsivey yet r Saa,y e.gs NED r10ps OK the
derclothing looked very much like the tough chick.
Dry" article so extensively used in the mining re-
Samples OF officers full dress uniform coats and pam
falcons showed that army tsilors still believe in the
efficiency Of q profusion OF gold lace; otherwise
there was nothing in the cut or patterns.
TOO CLEVER BY HALF.
One enterprising manufacturer handed In for adop-
ton model of what was termed o combined haver-
sack and knapsack II was of glazed canvas. some
thing like a knapsack, but smaller to be worn the
shoulders and was intended to contain the soldiers
rations and spare ammunition. Upon being asked
where the would carry his kit the inventor &C.
knowledged that that matter had not entered into
hia calet fugq a
exhibited in the shape OF what was termed "tele-
scopic" cartridge box. II was made TO carry ordi.
to hold twice that number of cartridges
by merely extending. by means OF sliding
capacity. Dust colored waterproof rubber blankets
were shown In various forms and patterns; also
pouches for mounted mcn The latter we're 81, so
adapted that they could be used M TINT dobri Re-
ferring again to the question of carrying amInuni-
ton, member of the Board said that. oil things
considered the prairie belt found TO be the best
and would probably be adopted for general service
men. The broad belt of soft leather, which contains
separate hole for each cartridge. can be made to
urc; but IL Is conceded that. following
tho experiences Of the American and other
his waist than sixty rounds. In point of fact,
unless expected to go into action short notice, no
in his pouch or belt great improvement is noted
in saddles. bits aud srrups. The saddle which the
Boand has adopted is the invention of Lieutenant H.
s. whitman, OF the United States Army. The tree
differs good deal from the old Mcclellan model In
being longer and also lower at the pommel
and cantei. The stirrup feathers In the new
saddle are hung nearer the poinmol, so as
to give tho trooper more room in his seat
than he enjoy at present. The bits are of
reduced size, of nickel plated metal and furnished
with an improved snap swivel for keeping the bride
and head stall The metal stirrups adopted for the
officers are furnished with rubber sole plates to pre-
vent the riders foot from slipping on the stirrup
iron. A set OF accoutrements belonging to an Eng
lsh crack mounted volunteer corps was viewed. IL
was Of uncolored leather the cartridge box capa-
cious enough for sixty rounds and large csrbinc
bucket big enough TO contain tho but of q spanish
biundcrbuss was attached to 10. The pattern con.
tanned no features that the Board could usefully
adopt.