Hinged 'Swing' Buttons On Civil War Spurs?

[Dispatch]

Did they have hinged 'swing' buttons on spurs during the civil war?

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Hinged 'Swing' Buttons On Civil War Spurs?

Fellas, We're spread across the country...we are the geeks that visit museums, pour over detail and scour junk shops for forgotten gems of history. As many of us there are surely someone can answer this question. I've only seen the belt through or button on but never a pair of hinge tab I could date to the 1860's or prior, but maybe someone has... Z

[1st Maine Trooper]

Re: Hinged 'Swing' Buttons On Civil War Spurs?

I have never seen a hinged button on any spur that would have been issued to troopers. I have seen civilian versions that would screw into the heel of the riders boot but none that would have the swiveling buttons.

Dave Myrick

[Dispatch]

Re: Hinged 'Swing' Buttons On Civil War Spurs?

Either type, civilian or military makes no difference. I just want to determine if that specific feature existed on spurs during the civil war.

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Hinged 'Swing' Buttons On Civil War Spurs?

I am no authority on spurs. To quote a famous cowboy philosopher and writer...."all I know is what I read in the papers". Having said that, from a cursory reading of available sources I do not believe the hinged button spur attachment you note is CW period. Certainly not a common pattern anyway. While hinged buckles on spurs apparently go back to the 1700's (even the famous Stonewall JAckson had a pair like that) and button strap attachments are of the CW period but the hinged button is not anything I have ever seen associated to the war time period.
Like Dave Myrick, from my observation and reading the common enlisted military issue spur both north and south commonly had squared (or round) strap slots. Some CS issue spurs had round strap slots (the so-called Mississippi surs. Although they had no real relationship to Miss.). Officer's spurs varied considerably and many were commercial or imported patterns including the aforementioned hinged buckles, some button spurs and the spiked kind of spur that was permenatley attached to the boot heel. Those variations were often Engllish makes and very popular.
One point I have come to understand is that spur patterns changed very little and very slowly from the 1700's to the 1920's. Either made of iron or brass (sometimes slilver) in fairly small variations the patterns were somewhat consistent but embellishments were numerous. The above observations do not include Spanish or Mexican types.
These are just my thoughts. This is not an area I have studied and may well be wrong here so would welcome others opinions.

Ken R Knopp

[Outrider]

Re: Hinged 'Swing' Buttons On Civil War Spurs?

I agree with Dave and Ken. I think the hinged type were rare in the CW era. The button strap type were certainly common enough though and I have even seen store inventories listing that type in good numbers in at least one store in the Trans-Miss. I actually own an original pair of " Mexican/Texas" style big rowel spurs with button attachments. I made some straps for them but rarely ever wear them as I find them awkward for me and annoying. I in fact wear spurs only ocaasionally anyway and when I do I use another original pair of civilian hunting stirrups I picked up from Ken's collection as a matter of fact! I like those very much. I also had a pair of period civie spurs that screw onto the heels as Dave mentioned but couldnt bring myself to actually screw them on as I figure they would have to stay on once attached. It was hard to imagine them not stripping out at somepoint and tearing up the heels of expensive boots.

[Dispatch]

Re: Hinged 'Swing' Buttons On Civil War Spurs?

I found these. The first is a 17th century spur and the other is a pair of Regency 1812 spurs. It puts much more evidence to the case that they may have actually had swing button spurs. I think I maybe should get a copy of "Historic American Spurs" by Howard C. Crouch. That may answer the question once and for all, maybe not.

http://www.sportingcollection.com/spurs/spur215/spur215.html

http://www.sportingcollection.com/spurs/spur146/spur146.html

[Outrider]

Re: Hinged 'Swing' Buttons On Civil War Spurs?

I think thats a good idea Steve. keep us in on what you find out. Maybe we can all learn something.
By the way, that is a good Brit website isnt it?. I have seen alot of good stuff on it and even bought a thing or two.

[Dispatch]

Re: Hinged 'Swing' Buttons On Civil War Spurs?

Everywhere I've tried to get this book, is out of stock.... It figures!