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

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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

1900s US CAVALRY SPURS August Buermann AB    US $26.00

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US Army Cavalry Earn the Spurs T Shirt 762 Design    US $17.95

ORIGINAL WWII GERMAN CAVALRY SPUR STRAPS    US $9.99

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Cavalry Spurs Late 1800s to Early 1900s Pair believed American    US $50.00

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HENRY MAXWELL British Cavalry Officers Gilt Dress Box Spurs Victorian c 1850    US $145.00

VINTAGE ELKO BORDERED PHOTO CAVALRY SOLDIER UNIFORM BOOTS SPURS    US $3.25

Publishing 00 BDM03002 Sabre and Spurs March of the American Cavalry Music    US $64.64

WWII German Cavalry Riding Boot Comba Spurs Stainless Steel leather Straps New    US $37.81

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Spurs to Glory The Story of the United States Cavalry    US $8.95

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

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

Antique Military Spurs Buermann Army US goose neck    US $7.27

Ladies Gooseneck All Around Roping Spurs New    US $21.75

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

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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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Rodeo Cowboy Iron Spurs Western Decorations    US $18.99

VINTAGE HORSE BOOT SPUR WESTERN COWBOY BOOT SPUR    US $17.90

ANTIQUE BOTTLE OPENER Western Cowboy Spurs OLD WEST Rare    US $429.00

Vintage Brass Cowboy Western Spurs W Straps No markes Good Cond AS IS    US $20.50

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Cowboy Rodeo Western Spur Key Chain    US $3.50

ViNtAgE ANTIQUE Western Cowboy Spurs OLD WEST    US $77.00

NEW CHARRO SADDLE WESTERN SPURS STAINLESS STEEL SHOW CHARRO COWBOY SPURS    US $44.99

VINTAGE ANTIQUE COWBOY SPURS LARGE ROWELS WIDE BAND    US $125.00

Vintage Childs Western Cowboy Boots KIDs Vintage Leather Cowboy Boots w spur    US $29.99

KDS QTS Bolo Tie Cowboy Boot w Spur BRAND NEW    US $8.75

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Here are a list of things to remember and consider when buying any antique westerns spurs or collectable boot spurs.  They are not a definiative guide of what to look for but these points will help you with buying items at auctions and finding new gems for your boot spur collection.

1.  History
Make sure that you know the history of the spur you are buying.  Is the seller reputable?  If you a buying them on eBay, make sure that you look for good feedback on the seller. Find out how to do this here.

2.  Markings
The markings on the western spurs will let you know who made them and in what time period.  The North and Judd anchor mark for example.  Know your markings!

3.  Design
Each maker has their own design style and unique manufacturing methods when they made their boot spurs.  Some use certain styles of Rowel and others have different shaped shanks - so bear this information in mind.  You will soon be able to spot the maker with just a glance.

4.  Age
Whether you collect new or old spurs, taking the age into account when buying will allow you to make the right purchase.  I suggest that you cross reference the item against another item that has sold.  If the price seems to good to be true, bear that in mind.  Even really old spurs are not always what they appear to be.

5.  Price
Buying antique spurs at an online auction is most likely the best way to proceed in starting or adding to your collection.  All manner of maker, shape and size are available 24 hours a day!  But remember that there must be a limit to what you are prepared to spend.  Some people just like to have spurs for decoration and actually use them too - but others require them as a collector of fine mid west american history.  Don't go mad - bidding too highly is easy to do.

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photo credit: joebrent

Riding spurs come in all different shapes and sizes, but this is just a general guide to fitting them.

1. Start by fitting the heel of your boot into the U-shaped part of the spur known as the Yoke or Shank.
2. The boot spur should rest at the top of the heel, where it meets the main body of the boot.
3. Attach the strap from the ankle around the front of the boot.
4. Some spurs will have a second strap that should run underneath the boot near to the heel.  If yours does, fasten that one on too.
5. Make sure the riding spur fit is snug, and the spurs shouldn't wobble at all. If they do then tighten the straps until they stop.

And there you go.  Make sure you know what you are doing if you plan to ride a horse and use spurs.  If used incorrectly they can cause the horse some pain, panic fear and discomfort.

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