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PATTERN 1903
OFFICER’S SPURS – PRIVATE PURCHASE COMMERCIALLY MADE BY
THE FAMOUS AUGUST BUERMANN COMPANY - EXCELLENT MATCHED
PAIR w/ CORRECT ORIGINAL STRAPS:
As described
in The American Military Spur, by Dorsey on pages
81- 82, the Pattern 1903 Officers’ Spurs were
adopted by the Ordnance Department to replace the
various officer spur patterns of the 1880’s.
The primary difference
in design between the Pattern 1885 and Pattern 1903
Spurs – both officer and enlisted patterns – was the
addition of a locking stud on the center bar of the spur
strap slots on both sides of the spur. The stud kept
the spur strap in place once the spur was buckled on the
boot and kept the strap from shifting. The other most
notable differences included the shape of the spur, the
lack of the heel gutter, a more decorative strap buckle,
and finally that the Pattern 1903 Officer Spurs were
made of white metal.
While these officers’
spurs were manufactured at Rock Island Arsenal, as
officers were required to purchase their own equipment,
an officer was free to select higher grade items such as
his finances would allow. Such is the case with this
pair of spurs which were manufactured by the August
Buermann Manufacturing Company in Newark, New Jersey,
evidenced by the company’s cartouche – the star –
stamped on each of these spurs. Produced faithful in
every way to the standard pattern designed, approved,
and produced by the army at the arsenal, this pair of
spurs is very well made and is typical of the work
produced by Buermann, the premier US manufacturer of
metal bridle bits, spurs, and stirrups in the post-1900
period.
This matched pair of
spurs shows evidence of use; however they have survived
in excellent condition with full length original leather
straps which retain both of the original buckles. The
spurs show no signs of excessive wear or misshaping, and
the original rowels are present, full form and both spin
freely.
The leather spur straps
show similar evidence of use; however they are full
length and are supple without any weak points. The
unique Pattern 1903 Officer Spur Strap buckles are both
present.
Seldom found intact with
the original straps, this is a very nice pair of Pattern
1903 Officers Spurs to display with an early 20TH
Century officer’s grouping. (0830) $375
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