Antique Spur Web Site

[James Hunt]

Found this site that has some excellent images of marked old spurs. Really a nice site. Has other images but the spur site is their best. open

www.cowboygear.com

If you are a sucker for old spurs as I am you will enjoy this site. Ebay usually has a fair selection of marked spurs. Know what you're bidding on though, stay with known maker marked stuff in the beginning and own a decent spur book so you know what the marks are, where they are marked can be an indicator of age. I have found that you can often get spurs at a better price on ebay than you can at a show.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Cool!

[O.T. Buchannan]

Hey James, those North & Judd Spurs, reference # N&J10ptspurs?  THOSE are the spurs I wear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for posting this, I think it is a neat site.

[James Hunt]

OT: just looked up the image of your spurs, those are nice and look like an old design, how did you get your hands on those. I don't know how I missed seeing them this summer, spurs realy catch my eye.

For my 1870's persona I wear a pair of unmarked 1859 type cavlary spurs. For mounted shooting I wear a pair of N&J horsehead spurs, I'm a sucker for brass spurs. For everyday wear I use an old pair of Crocketts that came out of Texas and have have seen considerable use. If these spurs could only tell their story. A pair that I occasionaly wear was made by Del Boone of texas, Dan'l great X 3 grandson. If I could only ride as good as my boots look.

[litl rooster]

Thanks for the link....I am a sucker for bits, especially the Californio's and horsehair

[O.T. Buchannan]

James, I have several pairs of decent quality reproductions, and I had an original pair of Mexican spurs.  Well, those Mexican spurs were just too heavy, and also, they didn't fit in with my impression.  So, I did a little research and in the book, 'Historic American Spurs', I found several pairs that fit the bill.  It was just a matter of either finding a correct reproduction, or getting an original pair...

Well, it just so happened, I had a friend who had an original pair (the N&J that I now have), and we traded!  The Mexican spurs were more his style.  Anyway, that style that I wear was prevalent between 1840 and 1870, and was primarily made in the South.  As you know, many of the early Texas residents migrated there from the South & South East, taking their equipment with them...spurs included.  That is why this type is commonly referred to as an Early Texas Spur, and some of the later Texas style spurs started with this basic pattern in mind. 

[James Hunt]

Lit't Rooster: I have deep sympathy and concern for your illness, "hello, my name is Lit'l Rooster and I have a bit addiction". There was a Kelly marked curb bit on ebay, had a little silver on it, went for just over $100 I think, yesterday. I just said no, but I have pretty ill feelings toward the guy that got it. Maybe won't be able to abstain from a pair of old Crockett spurs still listed.

OT: That's great that you negotiated for a pair of really nice spurs, I seem to pay fair market value plus 10% on all my purchases. Just no patience to wait it out. Below are my 1859 Cavalry spurs that I use in my persona as a hunter/scout with cavalry background. Many cavalrymen swiped their spurs on the way out. They look good on my flat heeled 18" boots. Actually felt I got a deal on these. If I only knew the story behind all those who have worn them over the last 145 years.

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy James,

Great site.  I have a small collection of spurs and bits.  I don't have a horse and don't ride, but have owned a couple of saddles.  The one that I have now is a Hope saddle, covered in raw hide.  A friend made it up for his wife and she rode it from Independence to Santa Fe along as much of the original trail as possible.  She got another saddle and I bought it to use in Santa Fe trail re-eacting and Mexican War era Army officer impressions.  I have a California "birds head" bit with a pretty severe spade on a period style bridle and heavy reins.  [Currently at the saddlers being refurbished.]

I have a pair of "colonial Spanish" spurs with small gold & silver decorations on the outside straps.  There is one strap button missing, but other wise they are in good condition.

Thanks again for sharing with us!

[litl rooster]

JH

  Is there any stamps in the heel band of the calvary spurs Usualy near the strap slots

Price is what value YOU but in them

[James Hunt]

Dr. Bob: Sounds like you got some nice "stuff". Colonial spansih spurs, quick someone take my checkbook from me. I always wanted a Hope saddle, I've never seen an original in any sort of decent shape outside of books, but OCB just sold a dandy that he made, really a beauty and had to go thru my 12 steps to keep from buying it. Old saddles are neat but they seldom fit the modern horse. Horses like people have gotten fatter. I just purchased an old Al Furstow Miles City Saddle off of Ebay for a saddle maker friend who is going to restore it, it had a 13 inch seat (not for modern American butts) and a fairly narrow tree. perhaps would fit a high withered narrow throuroughbred. I have an old Fraser which will only fit our Thourghoubred.

Lil' Rooster: The spurs are unmarked - which put them in my price range. A marked pair of 1859 cavalry spurs seem to start around $400 and head up. Indian wars spurs are considerably cheaper. Buying a pair of unmarked spurs is a risk, but I got them from a reputable dealer at less than 1/2 the cost of a marked pair who got them from a civil war collection and was of the opinion that they were from the period. Reading on the subject led me to believe that their were a fair amount of unmarked spurs going to the military at the time, so I took the chance. They certainly have the apporpriate patina and while the rowels are rusty they still turn well. The mare I usually ride is more sensitive to this type of rowel than any other "Cowboy" type of rowel I've ever used, including a 2 inch pair.

[litl rooster]

James I was not doubting those spurs, I have found some stamped and many more not. Here's a link I stumbled across tonignt...All of you here might enjoy...But hide the checkbooks.


www.tombstoneoutfitters.com/store/antiques.htm


lr

[James Hunt]

Indeed Tombstone has some nice and $$$$$ stuff. Need to make payments on that GEttysburg store front I guess. I have bought clothing from them and they are nice to deal with.

I discovered this site recently, a little beyond NCOWS period mostly early to mid 20th centruy stuff but if you are into old spurs, saddles and tack they have 40 old catalogs such as Frazier, Miles City, etc. on CD. If you want to document something well worth the $12 CD price. Try

www.cabincreekcds.com

[St. George]

As far as markings found on issue spurs - 'most' were marked if they came from a Government Contract.

If they didn't - and were a private purchase - often - they'll be unmarked.

Officer's spurs fall into both categories, as they were obliged to purchase their equipments - Saber, Spurs and uniform items - while the trooper was issued his.
However - should his get lost - it was sometimes cheaper to buy something from the Sutler than to have it docked from pay.

Those manufacturers with a Contract wanted their name on their products - then as now - and so - they were marked if they originated from outside the Armory.

Civilian spur makers' markings seem to be somewhat haphazard during the earlier, heavier period of use,  with many sets being unmarked - but being 'distinctive' for that particular maker.
Of course - many of those styles were copied - and the waters muddied.

The same's true for Prison-made spurs - no name - but 'distinctive' as to style.

A partial list of manufacturers can be found in my 'Notes' on the Historical Society Forum - but it's only a 'partial' list.

Spurs could be and were made by Blacksmiths in town and on ranches and an amazinly large number were produced in the East, and supplied to the trade.

And we're not even talking about the trade fairs in Old Mexico, and the talented makers from South of the Border...

If you like horse equipments and the like - you're in luck, today.

There are numerous 'good' reference books available to you now that weren't just a few years ago, and that'll make your search far easier.
Many are available at your Public Library, or through an Inter-Library Loan, for a small fee.

Just follow the above advice and have your checkbook at the ready.
Spurs and such have several collectors' interest - the Old West Collector, the Frontier Military Collector, the Rodeo Collector, the folks who collect Blacksmith-made and Prison-made, and so on and so forth, and some of those folks have deep pockets.

Read your references and 'know' what you're after and then - hit estate sales and flea markets and small antique shops.
You'll most likely find your treasures there - along with 'other' Old West 'stuff'...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[James Hunt]

Good advice. good info, good post St. George. By the late 19th century spurs and tack seem to start to be differetiated further based on area of use, S.W., N.W., plains, texas, etc. fascincating stuff. I have several spur books, sometimes contradictory info is given. I have always stuck with marked spurs with this one exception. But you are right: I have exapmles of Beurman, N&J, Crockett, Kelly, and Del Boone spurs - and even within these prices vary widely depending on your guess of year of manufacture. I can't afford "pristine spurs" but find them not that interesting anyway. Signs of usage give imply real history. I have a pair of N&J brass horsehead spurs that some old boy has scratched "H" into (my last initial) and I enjoy wearing them in CMS. While I have a several examples of Beurman and N&J perhaps prior to 1930, I have a certain fascination with the heavier, shorter shanked, smaller roweled spurs of the 30's, 40's and 50's that can be documented in their makers catalogs. They are not so delicate that you can't still tudge thru the mud and the snow with them, alot more fun than a $20 feed store purchase or current $$$$$$ show spurs which I find ugly.

[St. George]

North and Judd took over from Buermann and still have Buermann's manufacturing fixtures for many of their earlier spurs.

Regrettably - it's doubtful if it'll ever see the light of day again.

That pretty design of the Horse's head/Horseshoe continued manufacture well past the 1960's - along with the same spur featuring a Bison's head and an Indian's head (in full warbonnet).
They were a part of a series whose name escapes me at the moment.

Beautiful stuff - and sometimes - about the only way to ascertain any real age is to look at the color of the brass and hope it's that pleasant 'Mustard' color that only comes with time.

Incidentally - there's a watch fob that they produced that dates from the time of initial design of the Horse's head/Horseshoe spurs.
It's identical to that design - done in Brass -and superimposed atop a Black leather 'shield' with a thin Black fob strap...
Ever see one?

About all I'd 'do' to an old set would be to clean them of accumulated crud by using a soft toothbrush and a little soap, and I'd oil the rowels.

In creating a period-accurate Impression - your spurs wouldn't be shiny for very long - long use, horse sweat, and the elements in general would all combine to dull their sheen - but not their 'music'...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Major E A Sterner]

Howdy Y'all,
I have a pair of the Buermann "Star marked" Horsehead spurs with a set of carved R T Frazier spur straps that belonged to my wifes Great Uncle. I found and saved them when my In-Laws were moving out of their old house. My Father-in-law was going to leave them behind. I wish I could here the stories that they could tell. I used to wear them to shoots, until someone told me they were worth more than all my guns I had at the time. I've been trying to find a value on them so I can add them to my homeowners insurance, Any ideas where I can find out?
Thanks

[James Hunt]

Major: I'm sure someone else will provide some sources, I have one book with spur values for "northwest spurs" whatever that is, and they have some Buerman and N&J spurs in them. But I don't trust the info. They list my horsehead spurs with a value of $800. I don't know where they would arrive at that, and they give a value of $100 for a buffalo head spur which from what I read were more rare. I guess you need someone who deals in them. I do know one person who is active in dealing old west stuff including spurs, try

www.cowboystory.com

go to the contact page and use the phone number for the Cody store. Ask for John. Explain your situation and suggest your willing to pay a few dollars for an opinion - although he'll probably do it for nothing. A start anyway.

By the way the site has some pretty cool stuff and some pretty expensive prices. John is a nice guy and the real deal. His family runs a dude ranch in B.C., he cowboyed for many a year, now lives in Meteetse and has quite a few stories to tell, If you are ever in Cody, his shop is near the Irma and across the street from Sidels saddlery.

[James Hunt]

Major: One more thing, as you probably know Beurman sold out to N&J in 1926. I believe that early beurman spurs had AB along with the star, whereas North and Judd still used the star they dropped the AB. I may be wrong as I'm doing this from a failing memory and should look it up before I work my mouth, others can confirm or set the record straight. If you have a set of true Beurman spurs I bet you can enhance your 401 K considerably with a sale.

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy James,

Thanks for sharing so many interesting web sites!  I know that a lot of NCOWS members are interested in old spurs.  They are a tangible link to the period that we are trying to recreate.

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Dr. Bob,
Thanks for bringing that great collection of spurs to the congress meeting this past weekend. I know several of us were drooling over them and I particularly like the old cavalry sets. Oh, I really appreciate you bringing your hope saddle so that I could photograph it. I plan on posting the photo here later in the week so guys like Jim Hunt who is a rider like my self can see it...great saddle.

Bill