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This could have been an extension of another thread where discussion evolved into the artifacts housed in the Arabia Museum in Kansas City however, I felt it deserved its own thread.
As artifacts for study, mid-19th century civilian period bridles are very difficult to identify. Their common appearance and similarities in pattern, manufacture, hardware etc. throughout the 19th century often render exact dating of them nearly impossible. Certain types of hardware (buckles), rivets and bits (detachable and therefore suspect) are often very useful but not always conclusive. Without other decisive evidence such as museum records or family history dating an otherwise period bridle is speculative at best.
Therefore, when one finds artifacts such as that from the, quite literal time capsule that is the Arabia, well, it should be cause to stand up and take notice.
The photos enclosed came from that wonderful collection. These were taken and sent to me many years ago by one of the founders of the collection, David Hawley. While they show different types of bridles the patterns and hardware are very informative.
The first two photos show common draught/draft/coach type bridles as indicated by the type bit and the use of the rein safe (this kept the reins from being tangled in the legs of the horse or other harness). Nevertheless, I'd like to point out the leather cuts, the rosettes and make special note of the common iron horseshoe buckles employed. These buckles were very, very common prior to and during the war (in both civilian and military applications) including extensive use by Confederate makers.
The third photo is of what I beleive to be riding bridles. Sorry the photo is not the best but "it is what it is" and hopefully helpful.
The last photo is of a grouping of bits that were crated for shipment on the Arabia. You will note their similarity to later period "mule bits" but also note that they are quite different and should not be confused with the post war mule bit. In one of my articles on the web site (the Richmond Arsenal Officer's bit) I go into more detail on these bits.
Anyway, recently some folks have asked me about civilian bridles. When the subject of the Arabia came up I went back into my files for these photographs and it got me to thinking. While we can speculate, figuring out what is truly of the period is difficult and honestly, I often wonder myself. There is alot of great post war information and illustrations to be found in catalogs, etc. but, pre war and war time descriptions, illustrations or photographs are few and far between. In short, there is not much solid "pre-war" documentation to go on for civilian bridles which is why this is so special and so I wanted to at least, share these photos here. Does anyone have anything they can share?
Ken R Knopp
As artifacts for study, mid-19th century civilian period bridles are very difficult to identify. Their common appearance and similarities in pattern, manufacture, hardware etc. throughout the 19th century often render exact dating of them nearly impossible. Certain types of hardware (buckles), rivets and bits (detachable and therefore suspect) are often very useful but not always conclusive. Without other decisive evidence such as museum records or family history dating an otherwise period bridle is speculative at best.
Therefore, when one finds artifacts such as that from the, quite literal time capsule that is the Arabia, well, it should be cause to stand up and take notice.
The photos enclosed came from that wonderful collection. These were taken and sent to me many years ago by one of the founders of the collection, David Hawley. While they show different types of bridles the patterns and hardware are very informative.
The first two photos show common draught/draft/coach type bridles as indicated by the type bit and the use of the rein safe (this kept the reins from being tangled in the legs of the horse or other harness). Nevertheless, I'd like to point out the leather cuts, the rosettes and make special note of the common iron horseshoe buckles employed. These buckles were very, very common prior to and during the war (in both civilian and military applications) including extensive use by Confederate makers.
The third photo is of what I beleive to be riding bridles. Sorry the photo is not the best but "it is what it is" and hopefully helpful.
The last photo is of a grouping of bits that were crated for shipment on the Arabia. You will note their similarity to later period "mule bits" but also note that they are quite different and should not be confused with the post war mule bit. In one of my articles on the web site (the Richmond Arsenal Officer's bit) I go into more detail on these bits.
Anyway, recently some folks have asked me about civilian bridles. When the subject of the Arabia came up I went back into my files for these photographs and it got me to thinking. While we can speculate, figuring out what is truly of the period is difficult and honestly, I often wonder myself. There is alot of great post war information and illustrations to be found in catalogs, etc. but, pre war and war time descriptions, illustrations or photographs are few and far between. In short, there is not much solid "pre-war" documentation to go on for civilian bridles which is why this is so special and so I wanted to at least, share these photos here. Does anyone have anything they can share?
Ken R Knopp
Attached Files
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