Old Curb Chains

[Mark Choate]

Re: Old Curb Chains

Hi Casey,

While I am very familiar with bosals, etc., I do not know what you mean by the term "spades". I did a search on the site but to no avail.

What are you referring to with that phrase?

thanks,
Mark

[Longrope]

Re: Old Curb Chains

Mark,

Spade bits.

[Mark Choate]

Re: Old Curb Chains

Thanks, Casey.

Ok, that helps. I know what they are, but have never used one. Mighty aggressive................but I know they have their place. Have you had much practice with the spade bit?

Mark

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Old Curb Chains

Fellas,

Can I jump in here with some curb chain info? Being the unabashed lorinery (hardware) freak (some say fetish) that I am - this is my kinda topic! While these are a very small part of our kits having the correct authentic curb chain or strap is important or at least, it is one of those little things we can work towards to improve the impression.
The use of curb chains or bit chains apparently goes back quite a long time. How long I cannot say but at least into the 17th century. In addition to curb chains varieties of chains were employed on bridles (rein chains), in the stable (manager chains and watering chains) and harness including trace end chains, hame tug chains, hip strap chains, crupper chains, bellyband chains, etc. etc. Some of these are obvious, others not so much.
The photos I enclose are of bridle curb or bit chains that are relative to us and were common to the war time period.


1. Top is a British army single link curb strap taken from a British 1860 “Pad” bit. Note its fine curb hooks. The bottom brass curb chain is interesting. I believe it to be a high end quality curb strap as determined by the “link loop” that is often found on curb chains for attachment (with leather) to bridles. It was found in a dig box at a CW show. The digger told me he believed it to be a Shako (hat) chin strap. I am doubtful of this. The only chain (that I know of- someone correct me on this) employed on Shako hats was the 1881 Dress Shako and its decorative chain was not tapered and much longer nor did it have the single loop link. According to Randy Steffen, in the 1840's the Dragoon bridles (M1841and Ringold patterns) employed a spare curb chain on the top of the crown piece of the bridle. This could be one of those or just a high quality curb chain for a fancy bridle. I might be wrong. No way to know for sure. The curb hooks are comparisons....on left is a high quality period brass version and on right is a more modern but well made (tapered) variation that is plated.


2. Photo shows a “double gig” curb chain in comparison to a “single link” curb chain. Both were common in the military as well as civilian use during the period. The top is brass, the middle is iron and the bottom is an old leather curb strap. Leather straps were also very common to civilian usage. The Confederacy did not have the capability to make high quality double gig curb chains and they little prioritized their limited iron production to single link curb chains. As a result, what is clear from the record is their manufacturing leather curb straps with most of their bit issues- particularly for trooper’s bits. The CS curb strap would be similar to this made of narrow scrap leather, hand sewn and a small iron or brass horse shoe or roller buckle for adjustment. The same size buckle was often used on spur straps. These were the official employment of straps but no doubt other varieties of chains and leather was employed by them too.

3. Typical Federal curb chains issued on the cavalry and artillery bridles. Both brass and blued iron “double gig” curb chains were apparently the most prominent although tinned ones were provided too. I believe they always employed a leather safe or keeper with it. On the surface one might think the brass went with artillery and blued iron with cavalry but I am doubtful this was universal. Some of the more well known makers of these during the war was Condict & Wheeler and James M Frazee & Co. Both of Newark NJ. They had contracts for brass, blued iron and tinned curb chains. No doubt others made them too. The top one is brass, the middle one is iron and the bottom one with the curb hooks shows a lighter weight version that was also common.




Ken R Knopp

https://www.confederatesaddles.com

[Old-South]

Re: Old Curb Chains

WRT the leather curb straps, could or would a blanket strap have also been substituted in a pinch?

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Old Curb Chains

Jeff, generally, the leather is a bit heavier on a blanket strap but I am sure it was (could ) be done. Ken R Knopp

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Old Curb Chains

Ken, Thanks for the images.

Casey, I didn't feel you doubted anyone’s knowledge. You have tons more experience than I, you're much closer to the Great Basin area. I have a tendency to assume everyone knows about the California traditions. I’m amazed and the self-proclaimed horsemen who’ve never heard of Tom and Bill Dorrance or Ray Hunt... Agreed, a spade bit takes superbly light hands and a very responsive mount. I doubt I’ll ever have a horse who’s ever well trained enough to be straight up in the bridle. When I got to ride with Ray Hunt, his horse would do a 180 and you could hardly see Ray move. It seemed the horse could read his mind.

It would be interesting to see if the fella had served in the regular arm in California (or had been there for whatever reason) prior to the war.

Anyway. Ken, isn’t the “mini-coat hanger” looking hooked triangle that allows a leather curb strap to be used with 1859 bit a post war adaptation? I know that leather curbs were used prior to and after, so I assume that it was done, but I’ve looked through a couple of books with on concrete evidence…

Thanks, Zack