BACKGROUND: Although considered highly mobilized for its time the German army still utilized a great number of horses through-out WWII with the average infantry division containing roughly five thousand horses. In 1939 the German army also had fifteen, primarily horse-mounted, Cavalry regiments that were mainly tasked with tactical reconnaissance. Even though most of the Cavalry units were mechanized by 1940 they still utilized a large number of horses through-out the war. By 1943 the Germans were experiencing fuel and vehicle shortages which resulted in an increase in the number of horses utilized in the field. Cavalry personnel were basically equipped the same as the standard infantry personnel with the addition of specialized horse equipment. All mounted personnel were issued with a pair of saddle bags instead of the standard backpack or rucksack. Originally the Reichswehr, (National {Defence} Force, Circa 1919-1933), era M26 pattern saddle bags were issued until the M34 saddle bags were introduced on May 7TH 1934. The M34 saddle bags consisted of the right hand side bag designed for carrying the Cavalry troopers kit, the left hand side bag designed for carrying the accessories for the horse and a central coupling device. Both of the bags could be detached from the central coupling device and the right hand side Cavalry troopers bag could be utilized as a backpack as required when the owner was on foot. Of Note: A new, smaller set of saddle bags were introduced on February 15TH 1940 but all three versions were used through-out the war. This example is the right hand side bag for the Cavalry trooper’s kit.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Smooth finished, molded, tan leather construction right hand side M34 saddle bag with alloy fittings and machine stitched seams, designed to carry the Cavalry trooper’s kit. The roughly, 38cm tall, 18cm wide, 10cm deep, saddle bag features a large, fold over, top flap with a horizontal stitched seam to the reverse and a stitched on, vertical, closure strap to the obverse. The top flap closure strap attaches to a leather reinforced, pronged, natural alloy, roller buckle which is situated on the bottom of the bag. The top edge of the fold over top flap has a stitched leather loop to secure additional items. The upper, front body of the saddle bag has two, evenly spaced, leather reinforced, alloy "D" rings, positioned beneath the fold over top flap. The saddle bag has three, stitched on, vertical, leather loops to each side panel with an additional leather loop positioned on the reverse, designed to attach additional items. The top edge of the right hand side panel has an additional horizontal, leather strap with a pronged, natural alloy, roller buckle also designed to attach other additional items. The reverse of the saddle bag has a large, leather reinforced, horizontally oval, alloy ring which secures two, vertical, leather, shoulder straps. The shoulder straps have a closed, machine stitched, loop at the bottom ends which secure alloy "D" rings. The alloy "D" rings secure additional, vertical straps with a sliding, rectangular studded, alloy buckle with twelve, corresponding, evenly spaced, stud, length adjustment eyelets and an alloy, friction clip to the bottom edges. The friction clips attach to leather reinforced, alloy "D" rings positioned on the bottom edge of the saddle bag. The shoulder straps allowed the trooper to carry the saddle bag as a back pack when unmounted and the alloy "D" rings, positioned beneath the fold over top flap were utilized to keep the shoulder straps out of the way when the saddle bags were mounted on the saddle. One of these strap is broken, but both sections are present and could be repaired if desired. The reverse, top edge of the bag has an extended, curved edge, leather panel with a rivetted on, vertically slotted, alloy plate and two additional straps with one having a horizontally slotted, alloy clip and the other with a leather reinforced, pronged alloy roller buckle, designed for attaching it to the coupling device. The coupling device was designed to secure both the left and right side bags over the horse’s lower neck. Nicely maker marked to "Otto Sindel, Berlin" and dated for 1934. The interior of the bag has a single, large, compartment. The saddle bag is in overall pretty good condition with some minor chafe wear, light age and usage toning, some light surface cracking to the closure straps and the leather has started to stiffen with age. Nice Cavalry accessory.