British Cavalry WWI horseshoe pouch?

[hjohnso4]

I have a couple of leather pouches that I believe might be British cavalry horseshoe pouches from the 1900 - 1940. I'm looking for some help identifying them.

I've attached some photos. Any information on the pouches, their age, or even just confirming if they are indeed what I think they are would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Aragorn243]

I did some looking, they don't look like any horseshoe pouch I could find. Especially WWI, WWII era.

Do they have any markings? Broad Arrow stamps, manufacturers, dates?

[hjohnso4]

There are no markings of any kind. Purchased in Afghanistan hence my thought that these could be British, or BIA. There is every chance that they could be Afghan, or commercial.

[Surpmil]

Interesting term, but banging on horseshoes was the job of farriers, not cavalrymen, and they had wagon loads of 'em.

Would make a nice surprise for a mugger swung with accuracy, but handbags for cavalry are a much more recent innovation.

[Aragorn243]

British stuff is usually pretty well marked.

LOL, I looked for Afghan horseshoe pouch and it came up right away, perfect match. The site says there are five different varients and this is the officers version. WWI Light Horse Officers Horseshoe Pouch.

I'm assuming that this is indeed British and not Afghan.

WWI Light Horse Officers Horseshoe Pouch, Genuine Army Issue Stockade Leather

[Sapper740]

So it's Australian?

[Aragorn243]

That would explain why they don't match the British ones.

[Surpmil]

I stand corrected here as well! So now I'm wondering who provided the hammer for the cavalryman to shoe his own horse?

[Mk VII]

They would use the village blacksmith's forge for preference but it necessary they have a travelling forge for the farrier in the regimental baggage train.

[Surpmil]

Yes, you allude to the other aspect as well: the fitting of the shoe to the individual hoof; it's not a simple case of banging a new one on.

So the thought was the trooper would convince the local smith to reshoe his horse on credit or at sword point according to whether done in friendly or unfriendly territory?

Or was the average trooper given rudimentary training in forming and fitting shoes so they could do it themselves? Blacksmith's aren't known for lending their tools and forges though...

A travelling forge for the farrier would be the thing alright; Napoleon's engineers had them so not a new idea. Keeping a slow fire going so as to be ready to use on short notice, while not setting things alight would be the trick.

So with all these little pouches spread through the squadrons, at least if the farrier-sergeant's wagon was lost the kingdom would not be in danger from a want of nails or shoes.