what's up with these....

[Outrider]

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Victorian-Metal-Horse-Spurs-c-1840s-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ150346889715QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Horse_Wear_Equipment?hash=item23015f79f3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A570%7C66%3A3%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A100

Ken and all,

I get the first one. Spanish or Mexican of some sort I'm guessing ? but what is the other one pictured? I have never seen an arrangement like that on another spur of ANY time period. Something about it says "Brit" to me, and earlier than what we generally think of as "victorian".

[Mike Nickerson]

Re: what's up with these....

I would say you are in the right ballpark. That's a bold guess on the "Brit" ID, given it is listed in the UK! :tounge_sm

Mike Nickerson

[volcav]

Re: what's up with these....

The contraption on the second one looks like a rusted stirrup strap buckle to me.

[neocelt]

One word: Export!

All of the major lorinery houses in the Midlands (Birmingham and surrounding region) did a thriving business exporting their wares to Central and South America. They developed specialized lines (bits, stirrups, spurs, buckles, etc) exclusively for this market that were quite fanciful in their Latin styling--some were downright mind-blowing! This trade continued well into the mid-20th century, and even by then, most of the items were still made of raw, unplated steel & iron. Makes dating such things dubious at best, so be careful...

I have an old catalog from one of the best Walsall loriners that was used by their field reps in Brazil (I believe it was)--really incredible stuff!

Make every day count!
(we won't get any of 'em back...)

Aden