the field artillery journal - Fort Sill - U.S. Army

CURRENT FIELD ARTILLERY NOTES
English Artillery Harness
BY CAPTAIN ROGER D. SWAIN. ADJUTANT FIRST BATTALION FIELD ARTILLERY.
MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA
RECENTLY opportunity was given to examine a war order of English
artillery harness. Unfortunately no notes were made at the time and only
the photographs are now available. These are particularly interesting at
this time in view of the discussion as to the value of the breast collar
and this article is submitted in the hope that someone who has seen the
harness in use will be able to furnish further information.
Figs. 1 and 2 show the near wheel and near lead harnesses
complete on wooden models. The pole yoke as shown is probably
higher than in actual use. It was explained that the neck piece (c)
passes through the large rings (a) on the side of the breast collar into
the neck piece tug (b) to which it is attached by quick-detachable
device similar to that in use in our service.
The leather used was the very best backs and bends available. No
bellies or sides were used. The breast collar was made up of a wide
piece-cut, folded and shaped so as to present a surface nearly five
inches wide against the horse. The strap to which the traces were
attached was sewed and riveted to the outside fold leaving the inside
fold smooth so as not to chafe the horse. The sewing was done on a
"lock-stitch machine" with six stitches to the inch, thread being
thoroughly lubricated and waxed with black wax.
A metal pad, somewhat similar to our steel collar pad over which the
neck piece (c) and neck strap (i) pass, carries the weight of the collar
and pole at the top of the neck.
The traces (e) which are the same in lead and wheel pairs are
attached to the collar by quick-detachable device. A similar fastening at
the rear end of the trace proper connects it in the case of the wheel trace
by chain to the single tree and in the case of the lead or swing to the
short section of trace (d) connecting with the chain (k) in the breast
collar of the horse in rear. Allowance for adjusting length of traces is
provided by the chain at the collar which allows an adjustment of from
2 to 10 inches and a chain (not shown) to which the rear ends of the
wheel trace are attached. The short section of the trace proper acts to
connect the breeching with the pole-yoke through the attachment
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