Foot Artillery Driver's Saddle and Harness

Below. This is the German WW1 Era Foot Artillery service Driver’s Saddle and Harness. This example is set up for a rider. In this configuration, it has stirrups and a Prussian type Enlisted Man’s Artillery Saber. A complete Breeching, as pictured, is used on the rear or Wheel Team.

The German WW1 Foot Artillery Harness looks very much like the German WW2 Era Harness. The WW1 type (lower in the below photo)can be distinguished by its lighter weight construction, thinner wire like D-rings and two wire rectangular shaped attachments mounted into the leather, facing up-ward at each end of the harness. The WW2 harness (upper in the below photo)is noticeably heavier construction with larger diameter D-rings and this rectangular attachment is made from a single punched-out piece of steel. The WW2 ones also typically have the Wehrmacht Waffenamt and manufacturer three letter codes .

Below: This is the German WW1 Era Foot Artillery Harness with a Breeching. The Breeching is only found on the two rear or Wheel Team Horse harnesses.

Below. A photograph from the Foot Artillery manual of a Wheel Team Horse with a rider’s saddle plus the Prussian Enlistedman's Saber. Because it is a wheel horse there is a breaching hooked to the collar.

Below. The German WW1 Era Foot Artillery Valise Saddle with saddle bags. The valise saddle is typically not ridden. Often stirrups are not even mounted onto the saddle. Also because the valise is not ridden a saber is not rigged for this saddle. Note, the breeching appears to be the WW2 pattern

Below. A photograph from the Foot Artillery manual of a Lead or Swing Team Horse with a valise saddle fitted with a back strap.

Below: Sielengeschirr 16 is a variation of the Foot Artillery Harness with an extension for the trace line hook. This harness is dated 1917 and manufactured in Nuremberg.

Below: The Sielengeschirr 16 with Nuremberg maker marks and extended Foot Artillery Harness with padding and other straps.

Below: This is an interesting variation of the German Foot Artillery Harness, this time used with a German Infantry Machine Gun Limber and Wagon. Only two horses are used and a leather pad is in place of the saddle.

Below: As in the orginal photograph above, this is a German Army Horse Harness Back Pad. These were used in place of the saddle to bring the collar and breeching together.