Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army / of the United States 1917. To be also used by Engineer Companies (Mounted) for Cavalry Instruction and Training

by United States. War Department

When coats are not worn with the service uniform olive-drab shirts are prescribed.

Suspenders must never be worn exposed to view.

Never appear in breeches without leggings.

Leather leggings should be kept clean. Saddle soap should be used to clean all leather. Should the shoes, leggings, or leather equipment be soaked by rain or swimming they will not become hard if covered with a light coat of neat's-foot oil applied just before they dry out. All new leather should be oiled before being placed in service. Leather can be preserved for years by the use of saddle soap and neat's-foot oil, but once it becomes hard and cracked nothing will make it serviceable. Canvas leggings should be scrubbed when dirty.

Russet-leather (tan) shoes should be kept clean. Leather cleaned with saddle soap can be polished by rubbing with a flannel cloth.

The overcoat when worn must be buttoned throughout and the collar hooked. When the belt is worn it will be worn outside the overcoat.

Section 5. The service kit.

The service kit is composed of two parts—(a) the field kit, which includes everything the soldier wears or carries with him in the field, and (b) the surplus kit.

The field kit consists of—

• (1) The clothing worn on the person.
• (2) Arms and equipment, consisting of—
• (a) Arms and equipments of all enlisted men (except buglers and members of bands and machine-gun troops):
• • 1 brush and thong.[1]
  • 1 canteen, cavalry.[2]
  • 1 canteen strap, cavalry.[2]
  • 90 cartridges, ball, caliber .30
  • 21 cartridges, ball, pistol, caliber .45.
  • 1 cartridge belt, caliber .30, cavalry.
  • 1 cartridge-belt suspenders, pair.
  • 1 cup
  • 1 fork.
  • 1 front-sight cover
  • 1 gun sling.
  • 1 knife.
  • 2 magazines, pistol, extra.
  • 1 magazine pocket web, double
  • 1 meat can
  • 1 oiler and thong case.[1].
  • 1 pistol
  • 1 pistol holster.
  • 1 pouch for first-aid packet.
  • 1 rifle scabbard.
  • 1 rifle, United States, caliber .30.
  • 1 saber and scabbard, cavalry.
  • 1 saber knot.
  • 1 saber straps, pair.
  • 1 spoon.
  • 1 spurs, pair.
  • 1 spur straps, set.
• (b) Members of bands and buglers:
• • 1 canteen, cavalry.[2]
  • 1 canteen strap, cavalry.[2]
  • 21 cartridges, ball, pistol, caliber .45.
  • 1 cup.
  • 1 fork.
  • 1 knife.
  • 2 magazines, pistol, extra.
  • 1 meat can.
  • 1 pistol belt without saber ring.
  • 1 pistol.
  • 1 pistol holster.
  • 1 pouch for first-aid packet.
  • 1 spoon.
  • 1 spurs, pair.
  • 1 spur straps, set.
• (c) In addition to (b) first sergeant of headquarters troop (drum major) will have:
• • 1 saber and scabbard, cavalry, 2 saber straps.
  • 1 saber knot.
• (d) For members of machine-gun troops, except that buglers attached to machine-gun troops (only) will have 1 pistol belt without saber ring in lieu of 1 cartridge belt, 1 cartridge-belt suspenders, pair, and 1 magazine pocket, web, double:
• • 1 bolo.
  • 1 bolo scabbard.
  • 1 canteen, cavalry.[4]
  • 1 canteen strap, cavalry.[4]
  • 21 cartridges, ball, pistol, caliber .45.
  • 1 cartridge belt, caliber .30, cavalry.
  • 1 cartridge-belt suspenders, pair.
  • 1 cup.
  • 1 fork.
  • 1 knife.
  • 2 magazines, pistol, extra.
  • 1 magazine pocket, web, doubles.
  • 1 meat can.
  • 1 pistol.
  • 1 pistol holster.
  • 1 pouch for first-aid packet.
  • 1 spoon.
  • 1 spurs, pair.
  • 1 spur straps, set.
• (e) Horse equipments for each enlisted man individually mounted on a horse:
• • 1 bridle, cavalry, model of 1909 or 1912, or curb bridle, model of 1902.
  • 1 bridle, watering, if curb bridle model of 1902 is issued.
  • 1 currycomb.
  • 1 halter headstall.
  • 1 halter tie rope.
  • 1 horse brush.
  • 1 lariat.
  • 1 lariat strap.
  • 1 link
  • 1 nose bag, or feed bag (with grain bag).
  • 1 picket pin.
  • 1 saddle, cavalry, complete.[3]
  • 1 saddlebags, pair.
  • 1 saddle blanket.
  • 1 surcingle.