THE SABRETACHE FOR MOUNTED DUTY
A sabretache is a flat, leather pouch or satchel with long straps traditionally worn by some cavalry and horse artillery officers from the left-hand side of the waist belt near to the officer’s sabre. The term sabretache is an early nineteenth century phrase that derives from the German word Säbeltasche (Säbel ‘sabre’ and Tasche ‘pocket’) and the French version sabretache.
Sabretaches ultimately derive from Hungarian haversacks, or bags (called tarsoly), which over time became more elaborate. Such bags were used for carrying fire-making tools and other, small essential items, rather like a Scottish Highlander's sporran. In the eighteenth century, Hungarian Hussar uniforms and accessories (including sabretaches) became the ‘standard’ form worn by certain regiments of cavalry officers, including those of the British, French, Polish and Russian armies. Sabretaches fulfilled the function of pockets, which were absent from the tight fitting uniform of the hussar style. Part of the wartime function of light cavalry was to deliver orders and dispatches and the sabretache was well suited to hold these. By the 19th century, other types of cavalry, such as lancers, also wore them.
In the British Army, sabretaches were first adopted at the end of the 18th century by light dragoon regiments, four of which acquired "hussar" status in 1805. They were still being worn in combat by British cavalry during the Crimean War, but the useful functionality of its design also led to its use for a period by mounted officers of all-arms, and not just the cavalry. The large front flap was of stiffened form and could be used as a firm surface for writing, viewing a map, or making a sketch.
During Queen Victoria's reign and for a short period subsequently there were generally two forms of sabretache. Firstly, there was a full dress version whose large front flap was embellished with bullion lace, battle honours, crests, crowns, insignia, monograms, mottoes, and so forth. Secondly, there was a plainer, generally leather version (undress form) that was used for ‘daily’ life and when in the field. Most European cavalry regiments had stopped using the plainer form by the early twentieth century, but some continued to use the dress version for ceremonial occasions. The sabretache was abolished for all arms in 1902 and it disappeared from the British Army as a uniform item. This appendix of our series covers just the full dress sabretaches in use by the arms, services and departmental corps, less cavalry, between 1881 and 1902.
HEADQUARTERS STAFF
Dress Regulations in 1883 and 1891 under the heading of "Sabretache" referred to a note in the general instructions which stipulated that the sabretache should be Russia Leather of Staff pattern. It was not described as being red Russia leather until the 1900 regulations, by which time it was about to be discontinued. In fact, from sources and other references it appears that it had always been red Russia leather since 1857. The badge of the crowned Royal cypher had also been used since the same date.
DEPARTMENTAL CORPS
Although the Dress Regulations stated that Departmental Corps had a black leather sabretache with departmental device on the face, all Departments used the crowned Royal cypher before 1900.
THE ROYAL ARTILLERY
Dress Sabretaches were first taken into use by the Royal Horse Artillery some time before 1823. It was not until 1855 that mounted officers of the entire Royal Regiment of Artillery adopted it. The pattern on the face has remained the same until they were discontinued.
THE ROYAL ENGINEERS
Like other branches of the army, the Royal Engineers sabretache and pouch devices were the same. It was a brass rendition of the helmet plate badge, with the helmet mantel added.
THE ROYAL MARINE ARTILLERY
The RMA adopted the cloth faced sabretache for all officers in 1882. It apparently had been in use for mounted officers since 1874.
THE ROYAL MALTA FENCIBLE ARTILLERY
There is no date for the adoption of the Royal Malta Artillery's sabretache. Photographs show it being worn from about 1885.
SABRETACHE BADGES FOR MOUNTED INFANTRY OFFICERS
All mounted infantry officers wore the sabretache until 1902 which was plain black Russia leather with no device.
The exceptions were the Foot Guards and Rifle Regiments. For rifle regiments, the device on the sabretache was the same as on the pouch.
COMING NEXT
POUCHES AND POUCH DEVICES
