Handforged Confederate Stirrup andWatering Bit with Twist Motif.
Click to Enlarge |
A custom-forged cavalry stirrup dug in a Confederate Civil War camp in Boonesboro,Maryland. Probably a Southern officer's private purchase.
Full-sized Caltrop or Horse Crippler
Click to Enlarge |
This is the standard or more common design for the caltrop or horse-crippling spike. It measures approximately 1 1/2" tip to tip.
All Original Civil War Pack Mule Bridle, US Rosettes, Mule Bit.
Click to Enlarge |
This is a wonderfully preserved & intact CW period bridle rig for mule. It has all the leather straps, buckles, two sets of "U.S." rosettes, and even an ox-mule bit.
Union Cavalry Bit from Famous Winchester, Va.
Click to Enlarge |
This standard issue US cavalry bit was excavated in area of Winchester, Virginia, an area where many successive clashes between the two cavalries occurred. The typical "US" brass medallions are no longer present on the sides. Was it tossed aside due to a mechanical problem or was the steed lost in battle. Being bigger targets, many horses were shot out from under cavalrymen. Many hundreds of dead animals needed to be buried after huge battles.
Unique-shaped Caltrop/ Horse Crippler
Click to Enlarge |
This is an EXTREMELY unique shaped caltrop, spread on fields to cripple or slow horses in cavalry advances. This has 5 upright spikes on either side and a radial star of 5 spikes as well around edges.
Great condition. 1 5/8" across; 1" deep. Fairly heavy cast iron.
Hand forged Watering Bit
Click to Enlarge |
This is a hand-forged (blacksmith made) watering bit that could have been used by the Onfederate forces. It is a watering bit: simpler and less irritating to the horse or mule when they are not on the trail or in battle.
Plate Ambrotype of : Plumed 2 Maine Cavalry ?
Click to Enlarge |
This is a 1/9th plate ruby glass ambrotype that shows the look of a Union cavalryman. Note the ostrich feather plume in his slouch hat as well as the crossed sabers insignia embroidered thereupon. His expression of serious resolve belies the type of man who would swing a saber and wield a carbine as his rode a crazed steed into a wall of hurling lead & iron!
Saddle Shield
Click to Enlarge |
A brass Union saddle shield which was nailed to the Pommel of Union horse saddles to indicate the size of the seat.
Picket Pin Holds Horses in Place
Click to Enlarge |
This is a heavy forged-iron "picket pin" made by a Civil War blacksmith. It was driven into the ground and then the horse's rein or chain out through the loop end. This served to hold horses in place when cavalry were on the move and no railings or sturdy low tree limbs were available to tie their horses... Found in area of Chickamauga.
War Horse Pulverized in Battle
Click to Enlarge |
This is an eerie reminder of the horrors of warfare. People don't just fall over suddenly dead with a little hole in their chest. Rather, they are maimed and blasted to pieces. The same happened to the horses in cavalry engagements! Bullets and shrapnel do not selectively seek human enemy. In fact, there are old images of piles of dead horse carcasses after Gettysburg. This relic is an actual horse's hoof still nailed to its horseshoe! The find site was Battle of Yellow Tavern. It originally came from the collection of the famed Civil War author Francis Lord.
Heart Design Cavalry Rosette found 1961 Stones River
Click to Enlarge |
This is a brass Cavalry Rosette with a heart motif that was dug in June 1961 at Murfreesboro, TN (Stone's River) battlefield. A lot of Civil War relics were still numerous and openly scattered about prior to the Centennial.
|
