I just had an email through from Hurley at www.bitsandspurs.com to let me know about the latest Bit & Spur Show/Swap.

Here are the details:

Mid-States Bit & Spur show / Swap. NEW: Bring your ranch cowboy gear too! No decor stuff! Saturday, January 9th, 9:30am-4:00pm indoors at J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, Route 66, Claremore, Oklahoma.

NEW: Last year, we were all crammed into that one large room. This year we will not only be setting up in that room but also outside in the hallways. Much better!

Makers, dealers, traders, collectors & the public are invited to attend. There will be no regular dealers set up charge. There are some costs involved though, in making this show possible, as well as the next one. So donations will be appreciated. If you are setting up a table or two and would like to help out, please see me, Hurley Hughes some time during the day.

If you need further information about the event please call Hurley Hughes at 918-343-0149 or see www.bitsandspurs.com where details about this event will be posted. Send your email questions or comments to spurswap@bitsandspurs.com.

Are you going?

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An important part of the cowboy spur is the heel chain. Although this item is not really required to keep the spurs on your boots (depending on the spur design), it does add a little extra flash and show.

The spur heel chain is designed go around the back of the wearers boot but many of the normal sets of spurs you can buy are designed to use a spur strap or tiedown instead of the chain. The chains were possibly introduced to make the fit of spur more snug against the boot.

The heel chains were either made from silver or a cheaper metal. They are also of a very fine design and are not designed to withstand anything too rough. If you want to imagine what the chain is like, think of a slightly larger version of a silver necklace.

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OLD Antique Unmarked Buermann Iron Cowboy Spurs with Double Heel Chains    US $295.00

Old Hand Made Wide Band Cowboy Spurs with Heel Chains    US $195.00

WESTERN COWBOY BOOT SPUR HIGH HEEL CRYSTAL PENDANT CHARM GIRLY NECKLACE CHAIN    US $6.45

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The use of boot spurs in a military cavalry is something that historically has been used in many different militia throughout the ages. Cavalry Spurs were widely used as items of award or as a sign of rank and experience within a cavalry and were given to those soldiers who had progressed on to more than just a basic recruit.

After the soldiers were involved in their first combat situation, they were awarded a pair of boot spurs as a form of medal and then became part of The Order Of The Spur. These spurs and certificate were often given at a dinner or event called a "Spur Dinner" where all rookie soldiers were awarded their spurs.

There is also a process and tradition called a Spur Ride where new recruits performed a series of tests and events designed to test their ability on a horse and also their knowledge of the rules, regulations, history and traditions which they were expected to recite from memory. This Spur Ride was also a way that the soldiers were able to earn their spurs to show that they were more experienced riders and fighters than other new recruits.

Within the Cavalry, the soldiers that wore spurs then became of a higher rank or level than those who had none. Although the soldiers may have been of a similar military rank, the fact that they had earned their spurs in battle or on a mission was a sign of their seniority over those who had yet to get them.

The Cavalry spurs were usually made from silver and were mostly the English, Prince Of Wales style spurs. There were also sets of gold spurs that were reserved for the soldiers of proper higher military rank or those that had been involved a higher number of combat situations.

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WW2 GERMAN CAVALRY COMBAT SPURS STRAPS 31688    US $49.99

SPURS VINTAGE US ARMY CAVALRY US AB    US $12.50

Vintage Army Officer Spurs 1 Pr U S Cavalry    US $35.50

NOS US M1911 CAVALRY ARTY SPURS UPPER STRAP SET 1941    US $12.00

Earn The Spurs US Army Cavalry military metal sign    US $19.99

ARMY CAVALRY EARN THE SPURS CHALLENGE COIN YP519    US $.99

WW 1 US Army Cavalry Pair of Spurs with Leather Straps    US $39.99

ORIGINAL Civil War brass spur ARTILLERY CAVALRY    US $46.00

Early Military Brass Cavalry Spur    US $12.37

WWI post WWI DEHNER Cavalry Boots IN BOX with spurs and belt    US $151.53

AWESOME CIVIL WAR FEDERAL CAVALRY SPUR BARN FIND FIVE FORKSVA    US $124.99

Vintage US Cavalry Spurs Marked RIA 1903 192    US $10.00

Civil War dug Relic Soldiers Camp Iron Cavalry Spur    US $20.00

Civil War reproduction Cavalry Spurs    US $31.00

CXR Johnny West Cream Cavalry Spur Straps $1 Ship    US $1.49

Vintage 1941 WWII US MSH Cavalry Spurs Set w Straps    US $69.95

Rock Island Arsenal RIA Cavalry Horse Spurs 1913 1915    US $95.00

US ARMY TEE CAVALRY EARN THE SPURS TSHIRT by762 MD    US $17.99

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This book is a must if you are interested in collecting anything related to western american memorabilia. The book, part of a 3 part series on cowboy gear, features photographs by David R. Stoecklein showing cowboys spurs and related items in glorious color and in perfect detail.

The amazing workmanship can be seen in each of the items that David has chosen to photograph and they are all stunning images and great examples of the skill of their makers.

You will be able to learn about the different styles and types of cowboy spurs and how they changed through the ages and how they differed in different parts of the country. You will also be able to see great examples of Mexican and Spanish spurs.

With each photograph comes a back story of the item being shown which only adds to the richness of the images you are looking at.

If you are an antique cowboy spurs collector or are interested in fine vintage American items, then this book will be a perfect addition to your bookshelf.

Buy the book at Amazon now.

See a list of other books by David R. Stoecklein featuring Western American photographs and information.

What are goose neck spurs?

The term Goose Neck Spurs refers to the design on the Shank or neck that protrudes from the rear of the spur to the rowel at the end. Any design that curves slightly in the middle or towards the end is classed as being a goose neck shape.

I guess that the shank that curves towards the end would be more likely to be classed as a goose neck. If you imagine a real gooses head and neck you will be able to imagine what the design will look like when transferred to a cowboy spur.

Many different makers of spurs such as Buermann, Crockett and North and Judd made spurs that feature this kind of design and it is pretty common place.

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Kelly Gooseneck Wide Band Cowboy Spurs Brown New    US $29.90

Kelly Silver Star equitation gooseneck humane end mens spur horse tack equine    US $23.00

Western Gooseneck Slip On Spurs Ladies Youth Size Chrome Steel New    US $12.90

Gooseneck Wide Band Kelly Cowboy Spurs Blued Steel New    US $35.00

Abetta Gooseneck Show Spurs Stainless Steel Mens    US $82.99

Sims Gooseneck Reiner Spurs MENS    US $59.99

Kelly Silver Star Equitation Gooseneck Spur Ladies    US $40.99

Kelly Silver Star Gooseneck Roper Spurs Black Steel    US $32.99

Spurs Black Satin Gooseneck    US $39.95

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One of the original makers of Cowboy Spurs was a man called August Buermann.

He was born in Germany in 1842 and eventually moved to America where he became one of the Big 3 spur makers of the 19th and 20th Century.

If you are interested in getting some Buermann spurs, then you need to look for the Star brand marking which was his "makers mark". This star design was stamped on to every single pair of his spurs and can usually be found just under the spur strap button or lug.

Buermann eventually sold up the company due to old age and it was bought by another one of the Big 3 spur makers - North and Judd.

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If you are looking for the best pair of antique western spurs to add to your collection, you might want to consider getting yourself a pair of Full Mounted Spurs or Double Mounted Spurs.

This term refers to the extra designs, images or "flash" that are mounted all around both sides of the cowboy spur - inside and out.  Most spurs are half mounted, only showing designs on the outside but there are pairs where the maker has decided to put as much silver onto them as possible.

The double mounted spurs will cost more money and will generally be more valuable as a collectors item as the extra amount of the silver, copper or bronze will add to the overall value.

When purchasing a pair of cowboy spurs or vintage cowboy spurs, it is important to know as much information about the item you are buying.  As you become more proficient in knowing the marks of the spur makers and the different designs of rowels, you will be able to spot a pair of North and Judd spurs a mile away.

The term Half Mounted Spurs refers to the silver decoration adorning the spur itself.  Half Mounted means that the silver is only visible on one half of the spur - usually the outside so that others can see the decoration.

Half Mounted Spurs can feature a wide range of designs of silver, bronze or copper decals, patterns or motifs.  I suspect you could even get a pair with your name mounted on too - if you really wanted!

If you look at the picture above you can see that the silver decoration is only on the outside of the spur, not on the inside.

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When you talk about Cowboy Spurs and the makers of western bits, buckles, spurs and tack there are 3 famous makers, refered to as "The BIG 3" that are most common.  Collectors of western memorabillia know these makers as a testament of quality, originality and genuine American history.

• North and Judd
• Renalde
• Crockett

The 3 companies all have simple, small groundings in the manufacturing of spurs and eventually all became one company under the brand of Crockett Renalde before the company finally closed.

There has never been a better trio of hand craftsmen than the skill and experience behind people such as Jim Renalde

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WESTERN COWBOY BOOT SPUR HIGH HEEL CRYSTAL PENDANT CHARM GIRLY NECKLACE CHAIN    US $6.45

Men Western cowboy spurs Jingle Bobs Bob Silver Horse    US $34.99

Western Cowboy Toy Lady Spurs Silver Antique Brown New    US $29.99

Vintage Cowboy Spur with Star Spur and chain on back Nice OLD Spur    US $23.50

Vintage Cowboy Spur with Star Spur Nice Antique Spur    US $27.00

EGO 1992 silvertone cowboy boot w spurs stud pierced earrings Used but okay    US $.79

Vintage Western Cowboy Spurs    US $24.99

Vintage Western Cowboy Spurs    US $24.99

HUBLEY TOY COWBOY SPURS BOOT SPURS    US $20.25

Vintage RICARDO Form Fitter Airplane Metal Cowboy Spurs    US $29.99

Custom Made COWBOY SPUR STRAPS    US $5.00

Rare Old Vintage Rusty Western Cowboy Single Spur w Leather Rowel spins    US $3.99

Tom Mix Cowboy Spur Vintage RARE 1947    US $3.34

Vtg Cracker Jack Gumball Charm Mechanical Spur w Cowboy gear toy prize    US $9.99

MINIATURE DOLLHOUSE COWBOY 6PC SET HAT SPURS 6 SHOOTER BANDANA REWARD SIGN    US $1.29

old antique McChesney western cowboy spurs Stelzig Saddlery Houston Tx    US $249.00

SALE Western cowboy spurs Jingle Bobs Bob HORSE SHOE    US $34.99

Vintage Hand Engraved Crockett Heavy duty Airplane Aluminum Cowboy Spurs Mens    US $59.00

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Just a reminder that the Mid States Bit and Spur swap is on this weekend.

It will start at 12:30pm on Saturday the 10th of Jan at the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma.  The swap is located in the Claremore Room.

Map

Come along and bring your gear - there will be no official stands selling spurs - only what people bring along.

The Museum also has lots of old cowboy spurs and other indian stuff to look at.

More information can be found over at the offical Mid States Bit and Spur Swap events website.

If you do attend, let me know how it goes.  I can't make it.

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