Copyright ©: 2002

Although the bit is Federal, the leather curb strap is of the same pattern as could be expected on most trooper’s bits issued by the onfederacy. Note the wire horse shoe buckle, the width and length of the leather, the keepers, etc. on the image above.

According to the surviving records, "single link" and "double gig" curb chains (probably brass and iron) were purchased from commercial saddle shops, etc. in some small quantities by the arsenals but only early in the war. Quite quickly this supply became exhausted. To fill the void, the arsenals and their contractors routinely made leather curb straps much like that pictured above. These usually included cast brass and iron wire horse shoe buckles of varying sizes. At the Richmond Arsenal it is known the buckles they usually used were of the same light weight size and style as that used on spur straps. It can be speculated with some certainty that they probably appeared much like this one above.

For more information about this and so much more on Confederate saddlery see the home page and order the book "Confederate Saddles & Horse Equipment" By Ken R. Knopp.