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PRE-CIVIL WAR ERA
OFFICER’S “SCREW & SPIKE” BRASS SPUR:
Although a
single spur, long ago separated from its mate,
this pre-Civil War style Officer’s “Screw and Spike”
Brass Spur is one of the styles that were
available as a private purchase item for officers before
and during the Civil War.
This spur features the
“screw and spike” attachment method – that is without
any leather straps, to attach low on the solid leather
heel of the boot rather than riding above the heel
against the leather uppers as with later spurs. In
order to fit tight against the heel proper, these spurs
were made with a smaller yoke to accommodate the profile
of the actual boot heel rather than setting on the heel
counter or shelf as is seen on the later leather strap
supported spurs.
The entire shank with
the rowel unscrews from the center back of the yoke, as
can be seen in the photographs below. The yoke could
then be fitted over the boot heel and the threaded shank
returned to the yoke, and as it was screwed back on, the
spike would anchor in the back of the heel, resulting in
a tight fit.
The spur is complete
with a steel rowel that turns freely, the fully
functional threaded shank and spike and both heel clips
are present on the yoke. Measuring 4 ½” in overall
length, and 2 ½” wide at the open end of the yoke, this
spur still retains its original form with no misshaping
and no damage or excessive wear.
These earlier pattern
spurs are not common and this spur would be a good
addition to an early horse equipment display. $200
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