Light Farrier Kit

[John E. Tobey]

One more question (for now!).

A common order found in Regimental Order Books states that "light farriers kit" or "light shoeing tools" are to be carried by company farriers on the march. Does anyone have any firm information about exactly what was contained in that tool set? Does anyone know how these tools were carried on the march?

John Tobey

[AZFarrier]

John
I haven't really come across any such information but I would gather it would have a (1) driving hammer, (2) nippers, (3) Rasp, (4) hoof knife, (5) mabe a clincher, and a few hose shoe nails. I do know of and have used in the past on some trail rides a soft case that is unrolled, just like a house wife (the cigar type) that has pockets for several farriers tools that rolls back up and is easly carried in a bed roll or a pack mule (horse). I don't have a picture of one on me but I'll try to see if I can find one. To your origional question, I would say it would look mighty simular to what I have explained, I mean it would be the most practical, and easly carried.

I'll try to look for a picture.
Andy Miller
1st CAL Cav

[Custerboy]

I think they might also contain a light anvil that can be driven into a stump for a base.

[1stMaine]

Comrades,

I am just hazarding a guess here, but the Ordnance Manual lists the contents of the various wagon and forge boxes which accompany an artillery battery in the field. Since they have several dozen horses to take care of, I thought that a list of those items might be germane here.

PP.347, under "contents of limber-chest of forge B" is listed:

Shoeing box, containing: 1 shoeing-hammer, 1 shoeing-pincers, 2 shoeing-rasps, 1 pritchel, 1 nail punch, 1 toe knife, 1 clinching-iron, 1 shoing-knife, 2 leather aprons, 1 oil-stone.

Total weight in Shoeing Box: 12.75lbs.

I'm not saying that this is what the light farrier's kit contained, but it gives you an idea of what tools the artillery thought it needed to deal with around 100 animals.

Respects,

[AZFarrier]

Tim outstanding post, but I only have one question. What is a nail punch? I have always used a pritchel for punching out holes. Also I forgot about a toe or sole knife, you just don't see them any more.
Andy Miller
1st CAL Cav

[1stMaine]

Comrade,

A nail punch is a small steel tool, about the size of a fat pencil and around 6" long. It has a taper point filed flat at the very point, and a flat top. Carpenters, especially, use it to "punch" a small starter hole before drilling a hole or putting in a scr@w, as it centers the bit and keeps it from moving.

Respects,