RARE CONFEDERATE CAVALRY BIT WITH “PIECRUST” “C” BOSS AND HEADSTALL

$7,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1179-712

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

These bits are rare and most that do exist are in excavated condition. This is not only a very strong, non-dug example, but has leather and buckles that seem original to it and not taken from a federal example. The steel has a nice surface, showing a mix of gray and thin brown. The convex, brass bosses are in place, complete, and have the scalloped, “pie crust” edge with large “C” raised in the center. They have a very pleasant, medium, aged patina with some small age stains. The leather is in very good condition, showing crackling to the finish in places and some small losses, but untreated with any dressing or preservatives, with good brown color. The crown is intact with billets on either side for throat latch and cheek pieces in place. The browband is all there and in place, but broken near one of the loops. The cheek pieces are complete, with buckles in place, fastened to the crown and the bit. The nose band is also present, buckled to the bit, with both the chain and the leather complete. The rings for the reins are present. Aside from the browband, that might be mended, there are no breaks or bends.

These bits follow the British Model 1860 universal bit pattern, or “pad bit,” but with bosses bearing a “C” for “cavalry” (or “Confederate” or Confederacy as suggested in “The English Connection,”) thought to have been specially ordered, made in Britain and attached to the bit before shipment. Opinion is divided on whether they may have been ordered just before the outbreak of the war and whether they were intended for officers or perhaps had been ordered by a well-off cavalry unit, most likely Virginian, something suggested by their recovery in wartime Virginia cavalry camps. They are, in any case, the most readily recognized and accepted Confederate cavalry bits out there.

This would make a great addition to a Confederate cavalry display. For details see in particular Ken Knopp’s book, “Confederate Saddles and Horse Equipment,” pages 54-56, and The English Connection, pages 378-79.  [sr] [ph:m]

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