False Eagle Pattern Cavalry Spur

[Cornpone and Molasses]

These types were private purchase spurs that were worn by Officers on both sides. G.A Custer had a similar spur. This is one of the ornate versions of cavalry spurs that have the rowel neck which had a design that roughly looked like the head of an eagle. The brass neck of the spur has a sweeping pattern with a point on the end of the neck body that looks similar to a bird's beak.
This one has a replacement rowel and was polished at one time.

 

[Cavalier]

@Stars in Their Courses Being a city kid I know nothing about horsey accoutrements, so I found this very interesting, thanks for posting it.

John

 

[UCVRelics]

Interesting spur. One thing you have to remember that every man rode a horse and had a pair of spurs.

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

Interesting spur. One thing you have to remember that every man rode a horse and had a pair of spurs.

That is true. I thought since Custer had a pair others here might like to see it.

 

[Package4]

That is true. I thought since Custer had a pair others here might like to see it.

You are correct, though Custer's spurs had a vine and floral motif running through the spur. These were thought to have been worn during the Indian War period, though they seem to have been first evidenced during the Civil War.

The problem with what I call "civilians", hats, shoes, boots, spurs, saddles, house wives, cups, etc, unless an attributed provenance to a serving member, should be considered a civilian piece. Keeping in mind that the male population in 1860 was 16 million and a little over 4 million served.

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

You are correct, though Custer's spurs had a vine and floral motif running through the spur. These were thought to have been worn during the Indian War period, though they seem to have been first evidenced during the Civil War.

The problem with what I call "civilians", hats, shoes, boots, spurs, saddles, house wives, cups, etc, unless an attributed provenance to a serving member, should be considered a civilian piece. Keeping in mind that the male population in 1860 was 16 million and a little over 4 million served.

I see your point. This type of spur was listed in Bob Bairds book Confederate, US and other Civil War Used Spurs. I cannot edit my post and since there is no provenance attributed to this spur and there probably isn't much to learn here from a historical prospective, maybe a moderator can please delete my thread.
Thanks

 

[UCVRelics]

The collecting of CW spurs has its own special place in the CW collecting world. There some very nice ornate one with eagles heads, dolphin heads etc. The US issued a standard spur for all cavalryman. The CS did not. Here is one I dug years ago in a CS camp in Miss. These were made by Leach & Rigdon.

 

[James N.]

I see your point. This type of spur was listed in Bob Bairds book Confederate, US and other Civil War Used Spurs. I cannot edit my post and since there is no provenance attributed to this spur and there probably isn't much to learn here from a historical prospective, maybe a moderator can please delete my thread.
Thanks

I wouldn't worry too much about your post or having the thread altered - it's always instructive to see period items that might well have seen service in one way or another, whether this particular example did or not!

 

[Package4]

I see your point. This type of spur was listed in Bob Bairds book Confederate, US and other Civil War Used Spurs. I cannot edit my post and since there is no provenance attributed to this spur and there probably isn't much to learn here from a historical prospective, maybe a moderator can please delete my thread.
Thanks

Not necessary, your spur is a fine representative example, I just point out for those that are looking to collect, the pitfalls of "civilian" pieces. Many everyday items made it into service, we just can't be sure that a specific piece is one of those, without proper attribution and provenance.