December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
A wonderful pair of buckskin riding breeches of the period, featuring legs cut with only an outseam, as sewn inseam would chafe the rider's leg after time in the saddle. The high waist and long inseam, cut to come a few inches below the knee, allows us to date this pair as being from the mid 1790s through the 1810s, though wider fall likely excludes the 1820s. Its original owner was a good-sized man for the era, probably 5 foot 10 or 11 and with a 30 waist. The entire breeches are of hide, including waistband and fall lining--even pocket bags. CONDITION: The leather is still extremely supple, the stitching strong; there are ownership or issue markings in the waistband, crossed out with brown ink and indecipherable. The breeches must have been stored with the right panel exposed, which has evidence of surface insect browse--essentially just skimming off spots that probably were sweat- or stained in the era, not harming the hide per se. Light to moderate soiling in the expected areas. the gusset ties broken, but present.