civil war spur

[peanut]

Found this in a civil war camp. What pattern is it? And what is it worth? I talked to a friend of mine and he said that it is confederate.
Thanks, peanut

 

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[vayank54]

I know it's not a regulation issue US spur but cannot say for sure it's confederate. By the style of the neck I think it might be a civilian spur. There is probably someone on here that can give you more info.

 

[peanut]

I know it's not a regulation issue US spur but cannot say for sure it's confederate. By the style of the neck I think it might be a civilian spur. There is probably someone on here that can give you more info.

Thanks, the guy I talked to deals in civil war relics and he said that it was for sure Reb but he did't know what CS pattern it was under.

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

This is the closest I can find.

If this is the same as yours, this pair sold for $285.00.

B

 

[vayank54]

Your friend probably know more abotu spurs than I do. Howard Crouch put out a book about spurs but I don't have a copy.
any spur is a good find though. If you want to try to straighten it. boil it in water for a while take it out and bent it slowly and just a bit. You will probably have to put it back in the water a couple times and bend it a bit at a time. You'll need something for you hands too as it will be hot.

 

[peanut]

Your friend probably know more abotu spurs than I do. Howard Crouch put out a book about spurs but I don't have a copy.
any spur is a good find though. If you want to try to straighten it. boil it in water for a while take it out and bent it slowly and just a bit. You will probably have to put it back in the water a couple times and bend it a bit at a time. You'll need something for you hands too as it will be hot.

Thanks for the tip. Will it hurt the value any if I try to straighten it?

 

[vayank54]

I doubt it will hurt the value. I straighten the stuff I dig unless the damage was intentionally done. The only thing is, if I sell something that I straightened I tell the buyer and make sure they understand how it was before I fixed it. I guess what it really comes down to is if you like it the way it is.

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

If you crack it or split it, it will hurt the value.

B

 

[Breezie]

I have Howard Crouch's book and posted some pics that may help. Breezie

 

[vayank54]

If you crack it or split it, it will hurt the value.

B

If you make sure it's good and hot and don't try to straighten all at one time it won't break or crack. I've straightened everything from hatplates to buckles that way. Sometimes if a object is folded over flat it might crack but the way that spur is, if you take your time, it will be fine.

 

[BuckleBoy]

First off, the photos posted on this thread are Not the same type of spur as the one you have--which is a non-regulation spur. I am assuming yours is not marked. Nor is it a "union style spur" similar to the one that Orloblanco posted above (note the differences in the boot strap ends).

Second, your spur is actually in nicer shape than most. In fact, it is almost perfect. You do NOT want to try and restore a brass object with boiling hot water and bending into shape unless you first know what you have. There are folks who will do Professional restorations affordably. Contact one of them if the spur has enough value (monetary or otherwise) to justify such work. If not, be thankful that it is not in three pieces and bent all to hell by the plow. Thick, cast brass like that will Not bend back with boiling water like stamped brass will. Any restoration you might try will take vise grips, pliers, blow torch, etc in order to budge cast brass. And afterwards your spur with the nice patina runs the risk of looking like a train wreck.

Last of all--I have to congratulate you on a great find. Someone with a reference book on spurs will likely be able to help you out. The spur does look period. You're right that it is not "union style"--but I am not convinced that it is confederate in manufacture. Was it found in a Civil War campsite?


Regards,


Buckles

 

[RPG]

First off, the photos posted on this thread are Not the same type of spur as the one you have--which is a non-regulation spur. I am assuming yours is not marked. Nor is it a "union style spur" similar to the one that Orloblanco posted above (note the differences in the boot strap ends).

Second, your spur is actually in nicer shape than most. In fact, it is almost perfect. You do NOT want to try and restore a brass object with boiling hot water and bending into shape unless you first know what you have. There are folks who will do Professional restorations affordably. Contact one of them if the spur has enough value (monetary or otherwise) to justify such work. If not, be thankful that it is not in three pieces and bent all to hell by the plow. Thick, cast brass like that will Not bend back with boiling water like stamped brass will. Any restoration you might try will take vise grips, pliers, blow torch, etc in order to budge cast brass. And afterwards your spur with the nice patina runs the risk of looking like a train wreck.

Last of all--I have to congratulate you on a great find. Someone with a reference book on spurs will likely be able to help you out. The spur does look period. You're right that it is not "union style"--but I am not convinced that it is confederate in manufacture. Was it found in a Civil War campsite?


Regards,


Buckles

Found this in a civil war camp. What pattern is it? And what is it worth? I talked to a friend of mine and he said that it is confederate.
Thanks, peanut

 

[BuckleBoy]

First off, the photos posted on this thread are Not the same type of spur as the one you have--which is a non-regulation spur. I am assuming yours is not marked. Nor is it a "union style spur" similar to the one that Orloblanco posted above (note the differences in the boot strap ends).

Second, your spur is actually in nicer shape than most. In fact, it is almost perfect. You do NOT want to try and restore a brass object with boiling hot water and bending into shape unless you first know what you have. There are folks who will do Professional restorations affordably. Contact one of them if the spur has enough value (monetary or otherwise) to justify such work. If not, be thankful that it is not in three pieces and bent all to hell by the plow. Thick, cast brass like that will Not bend back with boiling water like stamped brass will. Any restoration you might try will take vise grips, pliers, blow torch, etc in order to budge cast brass. And afterwards your spur with the nice patina runs the risk of looking like a train wreck.

Last of all--I have to congratulate you on a great find. Someone with a reference book on spurs will likely be able to help you out. The spur does look period. You're right that it is not "union style"--but I am not convinced that it is confederate in manufacture. Was it found in a Civil War campsite?


Regards,


Buckles

Found this in a civil war camp. What pattern is it? And what is it worth? I talked to a friend of mine and he said that it is confederate.
Thanks, peanut

"Was this found in a Confederate campsite?" was what I meant to ask.

 

[RPG]

First off, the photos posted on this thread are Not the same type of spur as the one you have--which is a non-regulation spur. I am assuming yours is not marked. Nor is it a "union style spur" similar to the one that Orloblanco posted above (note the differences in the boot strap ends).

Second, your spur is actually in nicer shape than most. In fact, it is almost perfect. You do NOT want to try and restore a brass object with boiling hot water and bending into shape unless you first know what you have. There are folks who will do Professional restorations affordably. Contact one of them if the spur has enough value (monetary or otherwise) to justify such work. If not, be thankful that it is not in three pieces and bent all to hell by the plow. Thick, cast brass like that will Not bend back with boiling water like stamped brass will. Any restoration you might try will take vise grips, pliers, blow torch, etc in order to budge cast brass. And afterwards your spur with the nice patina runs the risk of looking like a train wreck.

Last of all--I have to congratulate you on a great find. Someone with a reference book on spurs will likely be able to help you out. The spur does look period. You're right that it is not "union style"--but I am not convinced that it is confederate in manufacture. Was it found in a Civil War campsite?


Regards,


Buckles

Found this in a civil war camp. What pattern is it? And what is it worth? I talked to a friend of mine and he said that it is confederate.
Thanks, peanut

"Was this found in a Confederate campsite?" was what I meant to ask.

I knew what you meant but I don't get this chance very often.

Very nice spur peanut.

 

[peanut]

First off, the photos posted on this thread are Not the same type of spur as the one you have--which is a non-regulation spur. I am assuming yours is not marked. Nor is it a "union style spur" similar to the one that Orloblanco posted above (note the differences in the boot strap ends).

Second, your spur is actually in nicer shape than most. In fact, it is almost perfect. You do NOT want to try and restore a brass object with boiling hot water and bending into shape unless you first know what you have. There are folks who will do Professional restorations affordably. Contact one of them if the spur has enough value (monetary or otherwise) to justify such work. If not, be thankful that it is not in three pieces and bent all to hell by the plow. Thick, cast brass like that will Not bend back with boiling water like stamped brass will. Any restoration you might try will take vise grips, pliers, blow torch, etc in order to budge cast brass. And afterwards your spur with the nice patina runs the risk of looking like a train wreck.

Last of all--I have to congratulate you on a great find. Someone with a reference book on spurs will likely be able to help you out. The spur does look period. You're right that it is not "union style"--but I am not convinced that it is confederate in manufacture. Was it found in a Civil War campsite?


Regards,


Buckles

Found this in a civil war camp. What pattern is it? And what is it worth? I talked to a friend of mine and he said that it is confederate.
Thanks, peanut

"Was this found in a Confederate campsite?" was what I meant to ask.

Yes it was used by both sides at different times the Rebs were there before the Yanks.The Rebs were under Gen. Marmaduke and later Gen.Blunt [US] was there with his Union forces. This was part of the Battle of Prairie Grove campain.

 

[vayank54]

Hey guys
No offense to anyone, but I have straightened sabre belt plates, sling buckles, spurs and other things including lead filled plates by boiling them in water. With a spur after boiling, you just wrap a rag around it and you can bend it with your hands. A flat object you can sometimes place on a block of wood and push down on it a bit at a time. On sabre belt plates. I have used a wood block and a rubber mallet. The main thing is take your time and reboil it if you have too. I have done this many times and for many years and the only problem I have had is on thin objects that are completely bent over and losing some of the lead in lead filled plates.

 

[Breezie]

As far as the pics are concerned, I did take some time to photograph from Howard Crouch's book; I didn't say they were his spur, but did post for comparison. As far as bending it back into shape, my Dad's words ring in my ears: 'You can be shown what you can't be told.' LOL Nice find and congrats! Breezie

 

[peanut]

As far as the pics are concerned, I did take some time to photograph from Howard Crouch's book; I didn't say they were his spur, but did post for comparison. As far as bending it back into shape, my Dad's words ring in my ears: 'You can be shown what you can't be told.' LOL Nice find and congrats! Breezie

Thanks, Breezie. Would there happen to be a CS-9 in there? That friend of mine thinks it is that pattern. He has a web site called campsiteartifacts.
Thanks again for your time,
peanut

 

[Breezie]

As far as the pics are concerned, I did take some time to photograph from Howard Crouch's book; I didn't say they were his spur, but did post for comparison. As far as bending it back into shape, my Dad's words ring in my ears: 'You can be shown what you can't be told.' LOL Nice find and congrats! Breezie

Thanks, Breezie. Would there happen to be a CS-9 in there? That friend of mine thinks it is that pattern. He has a web site called campsiteartifacts.
Thanks again for your time,
peanut

After re-reading my post, I hope no one thought it was 'smart arse' because it was not meant to be that way. My point was 'tis good to learn from someone else's experience. Breezie

 

[pitdiggers]

Like has been said before by others, I cannot find this specific spur in my books as either confederate or union. My guess would be that this is a civilian spur.. I am not saying this wasn't used in the civil war but rather a civilian piece that was carried into the field by the soldier, possibly because of broken a spur or the soldier's personal preference. I have several books on this subject along with general civil war horse equipment and your spur did not match any specific spurs mentioned in these books. However you can note that the body of the spur is similar to some of the heavy cast federal issue spurs.. In the end you dug a beautiful spur, congrats! As for the straightening I like it how it is because I think it helps add character. Hope this helped..

~pitdiggers