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Here are two "possible" Confederate bridles with bits. I say "possible". Why? Because they lack real conclusive recorded, verifiable provenance. While I am confident in the veracity of the bits (at least their patterns) when one deals with leather items such as bridles that are "detachable" from the bits and yet, are made of the same materials, patterns, workmanship and hardware of any mid- to late 19th century bridle....without other clear documentation then one can only speculate it as Confederate. Now, I am told the bridle with the "C" boss came out of this man's family but again,....after 150 years one cannot be certain. OK, having said all of this....still the leather, hardware, workmanship is "in keeping" with the period and Confederate manufacturing and worthy of study.
Let me also add that bridles, any bridles of the period, are exceedinly rare artifacts. Bridle bits often survive but rarely bridles. As horsemen we know that bridles lack the sentimental value that saddles hold for us. One can love a comfortable, memorable saddle that has carried us many a mile but a bridle is just a tool. Furthermore, they hang in the barn and do not tend to survive years of the changing heat, cold, mold, rodents, etc. as a saddle does. So after a number of years its real easy to save the bit but toss the now dry rotted, stiff, weak, fragile leather into the trash. And so it is that very few bridles of the period have been passed down to us.
Trooper's Bit Bridle: Nice hand forged topper's pattern curb bit. Bridle employing four buckles and fine loops, etc. definitely finer than commonly issued to troooper's... this is NOT a typical trooper's pattern. However, it employs plain russett bridle leather (7/8's wide), hand sewn, correct period roller buckles, common leather curb strap of leather (rather than curb chains as was typical for Federal and finer bridles). I do not believe the reins are original to the bridle and perhaps not of the period.
The English "C" boss bit bridle: Fine, officer's type pattern. Plain russett bridle leather (3/4 inches wide), hand sewn, japanned horse shoe buckles, period brass rosettes, a nice rolled leather brow band, and a double gig curb chain. The throat latch is a post manufacture repair using rivets. The reins are NOT (in my opinion) original but rather are a later 'add-on".
Lots more artifacts coming!!....
Ken R Knopp
Let me also add that bridles, any bridles of the period, are exceedinly rare artifacts. Bridle bits often survive but rarely bridles. As horsemen we know that bridles lack the sentimental value that saddles hold for us. One can love a comfortable, memorable saddle that has carried us many a mile but a bridle is just a tool. Furthermore, they hang in the barn and do not tend to survive years of the changing heat, cold, mold, rodents, etc. as a saddle does. So after a number of years its real easy to save the bit but toss the now dry rotted, stiff, weak, fragile leather into the trash. And so it is that very few bridles of the period have been passed down to us.
Trooper's Bit Bridle: Nice hand forged topper's pattern curb bit. Bridle employing four buckles and fine loops, etc. definitely finer than commonly issued to troooper's... this is NOT a typical trooper's pattern. However, it employs plain russett bridle leather (7/8's wide), hand sewn, correct period roller buckles, common leather curb strap of leather (rather than curb chains as was typical for Federal and finer bridles). I do not believe the reins are original to the bridle and perhaps not of the period.
The English "C" boss bit bridle: Fine, officer's type pattern. Plain russett bridle leather (3/4 inches wide), hand sewn, japanned horse shoe buckles, period brass rosettes, a nice rolled leather brow band, and a double gig curb chain. The throat latch is a post manufacture repair using rivets. The reins are NOT (in my opinion) original but rather are a later 'add-on".
Lots more artifacts coming!!....
Ken R Knopp
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