curry use

[Lance Stifle]

Re: curry use

Hi Ken
PM sent across to you.

Ken Stewart-Gray

[malachi]

Re: curry use

I recently came across two of the "Y" type curry combs in antique shops. They were,almost certainly, 20th century models. They both hade eight rows, but with two rows smooth, and the other six toothed. I supposed the smooth bars to be scraper bars and they were spaced among the toothed rows. Is this the same configuration that was common in 19th century peices? I have never paid that much attention before, as I was looking at the backs of them.
With regards,
John G.Tucker

[Ken Knopp]

Re: curry use

Good eye John! My observance of many, many excavated original CW era, military "Y" combs and those in my collection right now could not find any with smooth "dust plates". I also do not find them on the M1859 or the war time "Sarah Jane Wheeler" comb. However, I find that the M1874 military comb has a dust plate as do later military versions such as the M1904, M1912 and the M1913. While I note my 1850's civilian "trowel comb" has one in the center, the "dust plate" does not appear to be a common US military feature until the aforementioned post war combs. So in short, a smooth "dust plates" when found on "Y" comb "likely" suggests (nothing has absolute certainty) it to be a post war civilian knock off. Other features of the post war civilian "Y" combs are that they are often made of a different (lighter) grade of steel, often have galvanized coating, include "step-up" handles and thicker wood grips than do the original war time version.

Ken R KNopp

[malachi]

Re: curry use

Thank you very much Ken!
John G Tucker

[Ken Knopp]

Re: curry use

Gents,
Please indulge me here for one last post on this subject. I mentioned in an earlier post that this research was literally placed in my lap through what I sincerely believe to be "Devine (yes GOD) intervention". Please allow me to explain....
I could not have done this without my good friend Mr Ralph Emerson Jr. Ralph was unusually learned about all things cavalry. As a former cavalryman in the U.S. Army he assisted me greatly in the research for my first book in the 1990's and we remained friends ever since. Ralph is an interesting guy. He grew up around horses in the 1930's, always wanting to be a cowboy and even worked for the Ringling Brothers Circus for awhile. In fact, he was present during the horrific Ringling Bros. Circus tent fire in Hartford Ct. in 1944 that claimed the lives of over 160 people- mostly children (Google it). In addition to helping usher people to saftey, saving several elephants (Working with the Elephants and horses was his job) and put out the fire, Mr Emerson took several photos of the fire that remain the only images made during that tragic event. He enlisted in the army shortly after and was assigned to the cavalry in its final, unwinding days of WWII. That and his passion for horses and horse equipment, collecting, researching the subject made him a life long "cavalryman".
Throughout the 1970's through late 2000's Ralph was very close friends with renown author, and Historian Emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution, Mr. James S. Hutchins. It was Hutchins who wrote the classic chapter "Western Saddles Before the Cowboy" in the Smithsonian book, "Man Made Mobile" as well as numerous books on Custer, the Little Big Horn as well as other subjects. Mr Hutchins and Ralph collaborated alot in their research often copying volumes of materials to each other until Mr Hutchin's death in 2009. There can be no doubt Ralph was instrumental to at least some of the important work of James S Hutchins.
Hutchins was a prolific writer. Ralph wrote some too but while always a great researcher and collector- he was like many of that persuasion. To actually sit down to write and publish is that final huge mountain often too difficult to climb. He researched/collected saddles, bits and many, many smaller obscure things but curry combs was I believe, his greatest interest. He often told me that he had hoped to do a short book on the subject but ill health and other distractions always prevented him from doing so.
Anyway, Ralph and I remained good friends although in the last several years our contact was minimal. Two summers ago I learned he was suffering from the rapid onset of Alzheimers. Sadly, the communication in our last conversation was very strained. Some months later he was placed in a nursing home. About this time, his son knowing that I too, like his father, had an affinity for curry combs simply boxed up and sent me a large cache of his fathers research on curry combs. Interestingly, this material quite literally plopped into my lap, un-solicited and un-announced, just as I was sitting down to finish (finally- after several years of my own research) my article on curry combs. After some 15 years of off and on again research I call that rather unusual timing don’t you? The information, photos and artifacts I received was that which Mr Emerson had compiled over several decades and was critical to filling in gaps of information, sources and time lines. To say it was profoundly important to my effort is a gross understatement.
It may seem strange but Ralph's son (he too a Ralph) assisted me tremendously with suggestions, insisting and even writing one of the final paragraphs for which I was all too happy to oblige. As I told him- I wanted to dedicate this article to his father for all he had done for me and others- so having his son involved in the effort was perfect. Last Jan/Feb the above referenced article was finally published in NORTH SOUTH TRADER. Mr. Ralph, no longer able to care for himself was far too stricken with the disease to be aware. Sadly, he no longer knew even his close family members. Still, his son and I both hoped maybe, just maybe if we placed the magazine in his hand and he saw it, maybe- it might solicit a response. Toward the end of May the opportunity came. Ralph (the son) drove to the nursing home, put the magazine into his father’s hands, showed him the photos, read him my dedication.... Later, young Ralph wrote to me and said this..., "Did he smile a little and say- "you do good work" and "Thanks Ralph"...well, perhaps he did but, if he didn't, its only because he couldn't." Young Ralph then closed the letter to me by saying...."our story will be that he could have and that he did."
Two weeks later, Mr. Ralph died.
I have to say here that of all my articles this is the one that I am most proud of. Anyway, I realize this may seem trivial to some of you but my post here is my way to pay one last, final tribute to my deserved friend, Mr. Ralph Emerson, Jr.- U.S. Cavalryman.
Thank you for indulging me.

Ken R Knopp

[Mark Choate]

Re: curry use

Ken,

While I believe you mentioned "Mr. Ralph" to me in conversation one day, I never knew what an impact that he had on your study and research on "all things horse" or specifically, to the Curry interest. We have all kidded one another about the importance of this or of that and our own particular quirks and pet topics, but this one, like so many others, serves as a foundational tool in something that has gone on for hundreds of years and will continue to go on as long as men care for their domesticated mounts. I have appreciated what you have found and shared on the subject and now I know that much of it came from Mr. Ralph. I know first hand what it is to have a loved one or friend succumb to this terrible disease and condition and thank goodness Mr. Ralph Emerson, Jr., has someone who can remember, appreciate and eulogize him with memories of what he did and accomplished prior to his sad last days.

Thanks for sharing that story and for all that you bring to us.

respectfully,
Mark