View Cart Home»Past Items»Page 3
Regulation US 1863 Cavalry Bridle With Bit and Reins
click for an even bigger image

Sold

DESCRIPTION

Almost impossible to find these days. An original US Civil War Model 1863 Bit, Reins, and Bridle.
Model 1863 cavalry bit, marked A. Barclay, below the cheek strap slot. Curb chain missing. Original Civil War reins still firmly attached, full length, no breaks. Alexander Barclay of Newark, NJ, is listed as an accoutrement maker and manufacturer of saddlery hardware in Bazelon, who also records his mark on M-1863 cavalry bits.
This set is complete with a bridle made by Nece, with his mark partially visible on the headband, along with a set of lightly carved owners initials: J.G. Nece worked in Philadelphia and was a prominent contractor and supplier of leather gear to the government.
The small curb chains show up on their own sometimes, so it would not be an impossible thing to add to the bit, or one could be switched off from a lesser bit: they are simple, short double chain arrangements that fastened in the two small holes in the side bar of the bit and originally would have a leather cushioning pad.
The key thing here is the complete set of reins and the issue bridle. Bits show up frequently, both dug and non-dug; the leather bridle and reins - almost never.
Shipping $22 insured. NY addresses add sales tax.