Button type spurs?

[IowaYank]

Hey Guys, How common for civilian use were button type spurs? The type where the spur straps attached by the strap attaching to the metal button instead of through slots. I see a pair of button type spurs on Ken's website. http://confederatesaddles.com/cswp/?...page=3&pid=847

Was this something that would be more common by social class?
More specific to an area of the country? (Eastern vs. Western?)
Specific to a certain time period? (Antebellum, etc)

I picked up a group of four pairs of spurs off of ebay, one pair which matches pretty closely to the pair on Ken's site.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...TQ%3AUS%3A1123 They are the far right pair.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Button type spurs?

I'm not an expert on spurs, but I think they were relatively common. If memory serves me, the pair ID'd to the 7th TN Cav in Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans are button spurs with large rowels and a heel chain, somewhat similar to what I'd still call buckaroo spurs. I also have a photograph of a couple of Federal officers lounging in front of a tent in the eastern theater. One is wearing a pair with buttons. Coincidentally, his straps are very similar to wide modern western straps except that they do not buckle. They are fitted to the boot and attach by the button. Where they as common as the slotted spurs? I doubt it, but I'd argue that they're at least not farby.

I've always wondered about the European style that has the buttons and the buckle attached to the button. These were issued to US officers in the early 20th century, I believe, but I'd never known them to be 19th century. However, in another book with photographs of a CW collection, I saw several pairs of these ID'd to both US and CS officers.

One thing I'm starting to pick up on is that we aren't nearly as original in the 21st Century as we like to think we are.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Button type spurs?

Larry and Dan, Heartland House use to offer a button/buckle type spur based off an original pair... nearly idential to the ones you bought Dan... I sent you the copy of the 1997 catalog page... Z

[ohpkirk]

Re: Button type spurs?

Dan,
There are contemporary sketches and surviving originals from Mexico and Texas with buttons as early as the 1840's.

[forrestcav]

Re: Button type spurs?

i thought i'd add to this thread late as it may be. I'm a apprentice blacksmith and the making of a button on spurs would be no more difficult than when you make a bit. You would punch the hole round then come back with a square drift. Then proceed to take stock in the desired diameter. Upset the end (Mushroom) to create the larger diameter and fuller the other end to make it square. Finally insert the heater button and peen it over on the backside.