This is a great pair of Civil War stirrups made specifically for the 1st Vermont Cavalry by E. & T. Fairbanks & Co. of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Fairbanks was a prominent businessman, patriot, and Governor of Vermont. He outfitted the 1st Vermont Cavalry as his contribution to the war effort. (The 1st was destined for fame and glory on many battlefields of the war.) The unit's spurs and stirrups were manufactured at the Fairbanks Scale Company in St. Johnsbury and bear the imprint of "E. & T. Fairbanks & Co. / St. Johnsbury, VT" in two lines in a small stamp on the side of the stirrup's tread. The inspector, G.T.B., is also stamped in a small oval cartouch next to the company name. This pair exhibits excellent condition despite obvious use. Small scratches, smooth edges, but no bends. These are great Federal cavalry relics from a famous unit--the only such stirrups made for one specific regiment!

North South Trader's Civil War magazine recently published an article on these rare spurs by Stephen M. Henry, noted cavalry collector and historian. Mr. Henry's research revealed that examples of this style of pre-war spur (1840-) has been found at Civil War sites and have been noted on a number of photographs of Civil War officers. They are pictured in the 1864 military goods catalog of Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, popular with Federal officers. Apparently, this style was adopted by many US Army officers during the Mexican War and western service during the 1850s. Howard Crouch also shows another pair in his "Historic American Spurs" that came out of an estate sale in Northern Virginia along with a Civil War sabre. This is a married, early battlefield pick up pair, but are similar enough to warrant the coupling. Condition is excellent and quite sound. Both are believed to be products of noted spur maker Buermann. The rowel measures 3 3/8" and both spurs are made of iron. Both were finished with decorative design work still visible along the edges of the spurs. Nice non-regulation issue spurs!

This is a great looking pair of brass stirrups. According to Civil War cavalry authority, Steve Henry, an identical pair resides in the "Old Jail" museum in Warrenton, Virginia, identified to one of Mosby's men and another pair he has examined are attributed to yet another Civil War Confederate cavalryman from Virginia. This type is believed to have been imported from France some years before the war--possibly for Virginia militia. It has also been suggested that these may have been the inspiration for the brass artillery stirrups adopted by US and CS forces. The tread measures 1 7/8" x 4 1/2" and the height is 6 3/16" overall. Both stirrups have identical patinas, no markings, and exhibit much use but no abuse--no bends or dents. Beautiful display pieces with very probable Confederate provenance.

Collectors have been mistakenly calling these plates "martingales" or "martingale plates" for decades now. They have nothing to do with the martingale. These little plates were mounted on the breast strap which stretched across the horse's breast akin to the eagle "breast" plate worn by Federal infantrymen on their cartridge box shoulder strap. Not every horseman used a breast strap on his horse, but many such straps were decorated with a plate. The most common was a simple heart shaped plate. Others boasted an eagle motif or a US motif. The hearts came in a variety of sizes. This one is small, crudely made, but very well made. I can't tell if it was picked up many years ago or if it was non-dug but saw use to explain the wear marks on its face. The reverse is lead-filled with 4 brass attachment hooks embedded in the lead. A very nice-condition piece measuring approximately 2" x 2" acquired in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

This is as fine a valise as I've ever seen! All straps, buckles, flaps, lining, etc. are functional and intact. Aside from some crazing on the top flap where the valise was most subjected to weather the piece is excellent. The valise measure 20 1/2" long by 7 1/2" in diameter. This piece of luggage would hold a lot of stuff. The decorative tooling is simple and elegant. Both end loops are firm and sturdy. No repairs, no tears, no holes, no broken stitching. Excellent piece for Union or Confederate cavalry or infantry officer's display.

These were common years ago but have become quite scarce in recent years. This is the standard cavalry issue enlistedman's sword knot which attached to the guard. The trooper slipped his wrist through the two straps and the device acted as a safeguard against dropping his sabre during combat. The "turk's head," a narrow leather band that fit around both straps just above the tassels, is missing but that doesn't interfere with the function or overall appearance of this knot. It is priced accordingly.

Here is another wonderfully preserved and intact cavalry item. This item is complete, unrepaired, and original. Leather is still in excellent condition and all parts are super. A wonderful piece for a cavalry collector!

This is something that is extremely rare--a Civil War horse collar with hames, traces, and chains. I have not seen an intact set like this outside of a museum display. It is not put together and it is undamaged and intact. An excellent addition to any horse gear display.

This is an excellent example of a regulation US Army enlistedman's Model 1858 McClellan saddle. This saddle is complete--skirts, sweat, leathers, hooded stirrups, surcingle, crupper and straps, coat, carbine socket, blanket straps, and saddle bags! Maker was E. Waters. This is as fine an example of a Civil War Yankee cavalryman's saddle as you'll ever see.

Pair of solid cast brass Grimsley Dragoon stirrups. Like most pairs of Grimsley stirrups these show evidence of use. One of the outer tread panels is bent in but not so much as to detract from the overall appearance. Great items for display in a case or on a wall. Priced below retail to account for imperfection.

This appears to be a typical excavated Model 1859 Federal issue spur. Made of solid cast brass with iron rowel since disintegrated as is common. Unlike most Federal Model 1859 spurs however, this one exhibits rather rough casting flaws. I suspect this may have been a Confederate copy made from a Federal specimen but I cannot be positive. An interesting relic.

This is a very scarce US Cavalry Ring bit. Made of cast iron with solid cast brass US bit bosses, one of which has been reattached. Excellent condition, no damage.

This bit conforms to the British army 1860 "pad" bit, but the cast brass C (for cavalry) bosses are not British army issue. Its fine construction precludes Southern manufacture. Civil War scholars have long agreed that these were produced in England for the infant Confederacy and were imported early in the war for Confederate issue. Very few intact bits have survived but a number of the brass rosettes have been recovered from Confederate cavalry sites. This bit is in excellent non-excavated condition.