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ANNOUNCEMENT! In the effort to facilitate more authenticity in the cavalry end of the reenacting hobby I would like to call your attention to some wonderful new “authentic” reproduction Confederate-issue riding bits that have been recently developed and are now available.
First,.......DISCLAIMER: My sole purpose in bringing these into public discussion is to improve our historic impressions. While I offer these through my web site they can also be purchased directly from the manufacturer (Paul Muller) at no additional cost. In other words, I do NOT profit from the sale of these items whatsoever! While I can handle the transaction via my web site, I do not make one dime from offering them. Nothing. All orders and funds are routed directly to Paul Muller. He makes the bits and then ships them directly to the purchaser. Again, I am NOT trying to promote sales or any vendor in particular. My purpose here is to bring new, high quality, authentic items into the public discussion and hopefully, into more common use in the reenacting hobby. OK, nuff said about that.
HISTORY: The Confederacy did not have the foundries, machinery or skilled labor for widespread iron production “of any kind” and most certainly not for common items like casting riding bits. Most of those found in the South at the time of the war were purchases from the north and abroad (largely English). At the beginning of the war, the aspiring trooper brought into service whatever bit (usually a curb) that was at his disposal. Military equipment had been highly favored in the 1840-1860 so many of these type bits were employed by the newest volunteers. For others, the local saddlery, foundry or blacksmith shop became the source for more well made bits of very wide variances but most with a military “slant” to them. In the early days, the CS Ordnance Bureau purchased bits from the stock of local merchants thereby bringing in for issue an incredibly wide variance of the common civilian bits of the day. However, within a few months the major arsenals were manufacturing or contracting for military bits. Some cast mold bridle bits were certainly made early in the war but with few home-grown iron or brass foundries the South had little means for uniform or sustained production. Some British and a few French bits were also imported during the war but, most subsequently went to officers. As a result, the Ord. Bur. turned to the tried and true, centuries-old skills of the blacksmith for production of the majority of their trooper’s “issue” bits.
The hand forged Confederate cavalry bits, of which there are basically three variations, were made by arsenal blacksmiths including slave and white operatives at the various Confederate arsenals or, from local contract suppliers. Other trooper’s bits were most certainly purchased, made, issued and employed (particularly wide variances in officer’s bits) but the documentation and site excavations indicate these are the three most basic patterns issued to cavalry troopers.......
1. Trooper’s Bit. Quasi-official and standard cavalry bit issued in all theaters of the Confederacy. Most very similar but some differences in widths of cheek pieces, thickness of iron etc.
2. The CS copy of the Federal Dragoon bit (and or M1859). Have been found in many variations including single and double rein and with and with/out stabilizer bars.
3. Plain bit: A simply-made, common pre/post-war pattern also employed by the Confederacy.
* Remember, all these were hand made by any number of smithy’s so they are NOT monolithic.
OK, ABOUT THE REPRODUCTION BITS.....These bits are made by our own A/C member-Paul Muller! ALL American-made, hand forged, hand finished, blacksmith made just as were the originals!
* Each can be “custom-made” for low, med and high ports, wide mouths, short or long cheek pieces.
Alright, here they are.....For the first time ever...available now...
THE SELMA ARSENAL BIT: The only documented, “arsenal-specific”, Confederate-issue cavalry bit (that I am aware of). Copied from several originals excavated from the Alabama River at the site of the CS arsenal that I have in my collection or have photographed.
As Wilson's Federal Cavalry approached Selma Ala. in March of 1865, the arsenal operatives were ordered to remove or destroy equipment and machinery. What could not be transported away was thrown into the adjacent Alabama river. Over 100 yrs later, underwater excavations revealed literally tons of artifacts including machinery, weapons, gun parts, anything that was not dissolved by time....including a few cavalry bits. Like other Confederate expedients the Selma bit was made by arsenal blacksmiths (Spring 1862-Spring 1865) including slave and white operatives at the arsenal and occasionally by contract from local suppliers. It was hot forged and hand made with distinct similarities to the pre war Federal Dragoon bit and the M1859 bit. Interestingly, while many other blacksmith-made and obvious Confederate bits (including other similar bits, trooper’s bits and “plain” bits) are dug from war time sites, NO other Confederate bit can be specifically identified to a Confederate arsenal!! My favorite!! and made faithful to the original! Western Theater, 1862-1865. $100 Photograph NOT included. Will post later.
TROOPER’S LOOSE RING BIT: The common trooper’s bit is made of flat iron stock with distinct military style loose rings at the bottom, punched iron for the bridle headstall and a slight curve to the cheek piece. Interestingly, there are striking similarities to many eastern-made (Richmond Arsenal/Clarksville) trooper’s bits that differentiate them from the typical western patterns where variances were more common. This pattern shown is more of the eastern pattern. For all theaters and all periods of the war. $70
THE CS COPY OF THE FEDERAL DRAGOON/M1859 TROOPER’S (or Officer’s) BIT: Copied from originals either in my collection or photographed elsewhere . Some of the CS originals are strongly similar to either the M1859, and others to the various Federal pre-war Dragoon patterns. This hand crafted bit is copied from an original more identified to the Dragoon patterns. Made of flattened, round iron stock it has loose rings at the bottom a punched hole for the bridle headstall and a graceful “S” curve to the round iron cheek piece. For all theaters and all periods of the war. $100
PLAIN BIT: This pattern goes back centuries. Made of flat iron stock with punched holes at the top for the bridle headstall and at the bottom for the reins. Our pattern is basic. Note these were made long before and after the war. For all theaters and all periods of the war. $70
ARTILLERY BITS: I have found at least three variations of what I believe to be CS blacksmith made artillery bits. All have strong similarities to the M1841, M1859 and M1863 Federal patterns. The Paul Muller Artillery Bit is an exact copy of one of these found in Georgia so likely a western arsenal production item. Could also be used for cavalry. For all periods of the war.$70
These bits are readily made and shipped quite quickly. Usually, within two days of the receipt of the money. Again, each can be “custom-made” for low, med and high ports, wide or narrow mouths, short or long cheek pieces.
I am really excited about these new bits. To my knowledge, no one else is making and offering these patterns to the public on a production scale. They are fantastic, well made copies of the originals and made just as the originals were....hot forged and hammered out on an anvil! Moreover, they are affordable!! I strongly urge cavalry troopers with an eye for historical accuracy to consider using these bits in their impression.
Ken R Knopp
Paul Muller
First,.......DISCLAIMER: My sole purpose in bringing these into public discussion is to improve our historic impressions. While I offer these through my web site they can also be purchased directly from the manufacturer (Paul Muller) at no additional cost. In other words, I do NOT profit from the sale of these items whatsoever! While I can handle the transaction via my web site, I do not make one dime from offering them. Nothing. All orders and funds are routed directly to Paul Muller. He makes the bits and then ships them directly to the purchaser. Again, I am NOT trying to promote sales or any vendor in particular. My purpose here is to bring new, high quality, authentic items into the public discussion and hopefully, into more common use in the reenacting hobby. OK, nuff said about that.
HISTORY: The Confederacy did not have the foundries, machinery or skilled labor for widespread iron production “of any kind” and most certainly not for common items like casting riding bits. Most of those found in the South at the time of the war were purchases from the north and abroad (largely English). At the beginning of the war, the aspiring trooper brought into service whatever bit (usually a curb) that was at his disposal. Military equipment had been highly favored in the 1840-1860 so many of these type bits were employed by the newest volunteers. For others, the local saddlery, foundry or blacksmith shop became the source for more well made bits of very wide variances but most with a military “slant” to them. In the early days, the CS Ordnance Bureau purchased bits from the stock of local merchants thereby bringing in for issue an incredibly wide variance of the common civilian bits of the day. However, within a few months the major arsenals were manufacturing or contracting for military bits. Some cast mold bridle bits were certainly made early in the war but with few home-grown iron or brass foundries the South had little means for uniform or sustained production. Some British and a few French bits were also imported during the war but, most subsequently went to officers. As a result, the Ord. Bur. turned to the tried and true, centuries-old skills of the blacksmith for production of the majority of their trooper’s “issue” bits.
The hand forged Confederate cavalry bits, of which there are basically three variations, were made by arsenal blacksmiths including slave and white operatives at the various Confederate arsenals or, from local contract suppliers. Other trooper’s bits were most certainly purchased, made, issued and employed (particularly wide variances in officer’s bits) but the documentation and site excavations indicate these are the three most basic patterns issued to cavalry troopers.......
1. Trooper’s Bit. Quasi-official and standard cavalry bit issued in all theaters of the Confederacy. Most very similar but some differences in widths of cheek pieces, thickness of iron etc.
2. The CS copy of the Federal Dragoon bit (and or M1859). Have been found in many variations including single and double rein and with and with/out stabilizer bars.
3. Plain bit: A simply-made, common pre/post-war pattern also employed by the Confederacy.
* Remember, all these were hand made by any number of smithy’s so they are NOT monolithic.
OK, ABOUT THE REPRODUCTION BITS.....These bits are made by our own A/C member-Paul Muller! ALL American-made, hand forged, hand finished, blacksmith made just as were the originals!
* Each can be “custom-made” for low, med and high ports, wide mouths, short or long cheek pieces.
Alright, here they are.....For the first time ever...available now...
THE SELMA ARSENAL BIT: The only documented, “arsenal-specific”, Confederate-issue cavalry bit (that I am aware of). Copied from several originals excavated from the Alabama River at the site of the CS arsenal that I have in my collection or have photographed.
As Wilson's Federal Cavalry approached Selma Ala. in March of 1865, the arsenal operatives were ordered to remove or destroy equipment and machinery. What could not be transported away was thrown into the adjacent Alabama river. Over 100 yrs later, underwater excavations revealed literally tons of artifacts including machinery, weapons, gun parts, anything that was not dissolved by time....including a few cavalry bits. Like other Confederate expedients the Selma bit was made by arsenal blacksmiths (Spring 1862-Spring 1865) including slave and white operatives at the arsenal and occasionally by contract from local suppliers. It was hot forged and hand made with distinct similarities to the pre war Federal Dragoon bit and the M1859 bit. Interestingly, while many other blacksmith-made and obvious Confederate bits (including other similar bits, trooper’s bits and “plain” bits) are dug from war time sites, NO other Confederate bit can be specifically identified to a Confederate arsenal!! My favorite!! and made faithful to the original! Western Theater, 1862-1865. $100 Photograph NOT included. Will post later.
TROOPER’S LOOSE RING BIT: The common trooper’s bit is made of flat iron stock with distinct military style loose rings at the bottom, punched iron for the bridle headstall and a slight curve to the cheek piece. Interestingly, there are striking similarities to many eastern-made (Richmond Arsenal/Clarksville) trooper’s bits that differentiate them from the typical western patterns where variances were more common. This pattern shown is more of the eastern pattern. For all theaters and all periods of the war. $70
THE CS COPY OF THE FEDERAL DRAGOON/M1859 TROOPER’S (or Officer’s) BIT: Copied from originals either in my collection or photographed elsewhere . Some of the CS originals are strongly similar to either the M1859, and others to the various Federal pre-war Dragoon patterns. This hand crafted bit is copied from an original more identified to the Dragoon patterns. Made of flattened, round iron stock it has loose rings at the bottom a punched hole for the bridle headstall and a graceful “S” curve to the round iron cheek piece. For all theaters and all periods of the war. $100
PLAIN BIT: This pattern goes back centuries. Made of flat iron stock with punched holes at the top for the bridle headstall and at the bottom for the reins. Our pattern is basic. Note these were made long before and after the war. For all theaters and all periods of the war. $70
ARTILLERY BITS: I have found at least three variations of what I believe to be CS blacksmith made artillery bits. All have strong similarities to the M1841, M1859 and M1863 Federal patterns. The Paul Muller Artillery Bit is an exact copy of one of these found in Georgia so likely a western arsenal production item. Could also be used for cavalry. For all periods of the war.$70
These bits are readily made and shipped quite quickly. Usually, within two days of the receipt of the money. Again, each can be “custom-made” for low, med and high ports, wide or narrow mouths, short or long cheek pieces.
I am really excited about these new bits. To my knowledge, no one else is making and offering these patterns to the public on a production scale. They are fantastic, well made copies of the originals and made just as the originals were....hot forged and hammered out on an anvil! Moreover, they are affordable!! I strongly urge cavalry troopers with an eye for historical accuracy to consider using these bits in their impression.
Ken R Knopp
Paul Muller
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