Military revolvers in the Civil War/ Indian War era were always holstered butt forward on the strong side...In other words, a soldier right handed soldier carried his handgun on his right side, with the but facing forward.. This required him to turn the revolver when drawing, and it seems kind of awkward.. Seems like it would make more sense to carry it butt to the rear..

Was thier any utility to this..?? I realize that a saber would have to be drawn crossdraw, so it makes sense to holster the handgun on the right side and the saber on the left, but why not holster the handgun butt to the rear..??..

Because when you've got your sabre in your right hand all that's left is your left hand. So you reach with your left hand for the revolver and cross draw.

That's correct !
By the Civil War the sword had already become obsolete and cavalry troops often carried two or more revolvers and used them rather than the sword.

Also had somethng to do with holding reins and fighting mounted, no? I am a lefty, so it is all backwards for me, fortunately my horse is left-handed too!

The "cavalry holster" lasted much longer than the Indian Wars. The Colt New Army & Navy .38LC revolver was in service from 1889 through 1909 and was worn in the butt forward holster. The Colt M1909 .45Army revolver was also carried in a butt forward holster. The former was in service for the SAW and the PAW (AKA the Philippine Insurrection), while the later saw action during the PAW. The Colt and S&W M1917 .45ACP revolver was also carried in the butt forward holster during WWI and early WWII. In 1942 a new butt to the rear holster was finally made for the M1917 revolvers.

Try reaching with the left hand a gun holstered on the right side in a butt rearward holster if you will!

By WWI when swords finally went out the British wore revolvers on the left side, in a butt forward holster, for "enlisted men" (as they would be called in the USA) issued with revolvers.

So accessible to the right hand. And the left if need be. What cavalry there were (quite a lot) had their swords attached to the horse and not to the man BTW.

The command before charging being (from an old friend who fought with Allenby in the desert) "Remove gloves, draw swords, all four reins the left hand".

Thanks all... I feel MUCH better now....hehehehe..

quote:

The command before charging being (from an old friend who fought with Allenby in the desert) "Remove gloves, draw swords, all four reins the left hand".

Having been to Jerusalem, Allenby is one of my heroes. Very undersung IMHO. How involved was he in Beersheba (which our Aussie friends had a minor role in!!!!)
Peter