decorative horse deal??? Spanish?! YUP!!!

chong2 · Oct 8, 2008

i like this piece, i kinda surface found it , while detecting the red sands of course 8)
its iron, and well the pics pretty much describe it all. the detail is not too good, it seemed very decorated. around the ring, engravings and some small studs on the side, where some of the pins/ buttons still sit. also, a few decorative small rings on the shaft thingy. soooooo, what is it guys?

ivan salis · Oct 9, 2008

Re: decorative horse deal Spanish?!

hum an older type spanish horse bit *not a easily lost item and highly noticible if missing (since you can not ride your horse without it ) I think theres more to this story than what you see at first glance * -- I would ask myself how did this item get to be where it was and why is it there? -- if it is not badly broken * then it was clearly not thrown away as junk --- and because people of old were not by nature wasteful they just did not throw away useful intact items* --- then there must then be a reason why it was "lost" where you found it at .

a bit means a horse with a rider * without the bit the horse / rider go no where* so it the very least a dead horse * (horse dead no need for bit) rider walks off --- or maybe both horse and rider ambushed -- look at the area is it a likely "bushwack" ambush spot ?-- say big rocks or areas near by where attackers could shoot from ? if so check around them. (almost all bushwackers attacked from hiding and used rifles or shotguns ( safer for them that way for - no chance of being shot)-- if at a bit of distance they used rifles -- if up close shotguns)--- they shot first and rifled the dead folks pockets and belongings in hopes of a payoff. --many times the horse was shot first to prevent the escape of the victim and in hopes of pinning him under the dead horse as it fell . brutal but effective.

Marc(NB) · Oct 9, 2008

Re: decorative horse deal Spanish?!

that is freaking awesome!!! :thumbsup:

Bigcypresshunter · Oct 9, 2008

Re: decorative horse deal Spanish?!

Ive been through the desert with a horse with no name,
it felt good to be out of the rain...

chong2 · Oct 9, 2008

Re: decorative horse deal Spanish?!

haha, perfect song!!! yes, i have been wondering how it got to be where it was found..... well i didnt have much time today to get there, but i did, sun already went down.................... and i found something else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is all too cool!!!!!! well, i gotta eat dinner now 8) see ya later :thumbsup:

ivan salis · Oct 9, 2008

Re: decorative horse deal Spanish?!

and what pray tell did you find -- come on give it up * and tell us,

SEE I told ya--- I HAD A FEELING THERE WAS MORE TO IT -- and for sure I think theres more "stuff" there--- who knows maybe even some $$$ to find there. --- you just gotta read the clues that are left behind to figger out what happened there. ---

you just gottta put the "detect"ive in metal detectorist :wink:

Ivan

tulecanyon · Oct 9, 2008

Re: decorative horse deal Spanish?!

what a tease.

please tell us you found a matchlock.
the guys saddle bags

??

chong2 · Oct 9, 2008

Re: decorative horse deal Spanish?!

tule, yes, the NW didnt have spanish, but that guy shure has alot of it. at least we can say, hey, u have your large cents/coppers, we have our spanish

i always have wished that i have something of spanish orgin. well, now i have, i am a very very happy camper. im also very glad that i posted it up here, cause it would have just gone with my iron stuff collection. todays find, i wish a matchlock, lol. i was hoping 4 a flag spear. there are plenty of mounds where someone could have been hiding to ambush. i would take some pics of the area, but something is telling me not too. well i got off, and hauled over there. the sun had already set by the time i reached the spot. i had to walk a bit. well i put my MD in all mode, and withing 3 mins i dug at a iron signal. around a foot down? i came up with a piece that looks like it goes with the bit. same copper rings, but no engraving. this will be my new site for some time to come, it should be pretty easy, since there are not many targets in the area. just sand and dirt. and bushes. i am figuring there might be some horse bones, unless they have been carried away, or broken down. i think that these will be the only pics i post up of this subject with all due respect. i know that everyone is dying to know what comes out next. well, we all know how it works :'(

and that company did write back, saying YES INDEED ITS A ORIGINAL, and congratulations. however he could not give a exact date.
very nice guy.
from his pics and my pics, i am 100% convinced now. let me just sing my victory song real quick..... WHOOOOOOOO HA :headbang:

thanks all!!!!!!!!!!!

aa battery · Oct 9, 2008

Re: decorative horse deal Spanish?!

:'(

ivan salis · Oct 9, 2008

Re: decorative horse deal Spanish?!

yep theres more bet on it :wink:

understand loose lips sink ships --- Ivan

if your ship's finally coming in don't torpedo it.

with photos of the site (others might figger out where and poach it) or tales of valuible or rare old items found by you that archies might like to snag -- texas state archie folks might get "interested" and some times various state archie types prowl the public posting areas on the lookout for items or people of "interest" in "their" area-- in some "better find cases" and in "certain places"-- its best to keep it "private" in PM's to trusted freinds.

while I don't think their so gung ho as to hunt you down over an old spanish horse bit --certain other types of other "items" just might draw their interest --texas is known to be very unfreindly to water salvors / treasure hunters-- but honestly I 'm not current about what their rules on "land" finds are.

tulecanyon · Oct 9, 2008

Re: decorative horse deal Spanish?!

a well justified secret.

i imagine the bit was at the forward end of the horse. it might be of interest to imagine where the horse was going? water for sure. safety?

congratulations.

Bigcypresshunter · Oct 9, 2008

Write the story when you are finished, BANNER! :thumbsup:

It was your turn, you deserve it. Treasure is out there for those who try hard.

romeo-1 · Oct 10, 2008

I can understand not posting pics of the site but why no more pics of the finds

cival war hunter 2 ! · Oct 10, 2008

giddy up horsey. :icon_jokercolor:

Bigcypresshunter · Oct 10, 2008

find anything today? 8)

RELICDUDE07 · Oct 10, 2008

Sweet find ,chong2.Im with the guys on not posting any site photos, no ones needs to know where the site is but you...Some locals may tell where your at in the town ,some more of the finds /pictures would be great... :thumbsup:

We all love old spanish relics :'(

tulecanyon · Oct 10, 2008

i hope he finds a matched set of matchlock pistols. :icon_pirat:

Silver_Fox · Oct 11, 2008

Ive been through the desert with a horse with no name,
it felt good to be out of the rain...

Good shots of the Nevada Desert.

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truckinbutch · Oct 11, 2008

This is a fantastic find ! The second piece you found is the actual bit that went into the horse's mouth.With this spade type bit the horse would automaticaly assume a desireable low headset as the comfortable way to carry it in his mouth.
The copper rings are called crickets and gave the horse something to ammuse himself with as well as contributing to salivation which prevented chafing of his mouth.Using this bit can produce excellent results in the hands of a skilled horseman.
In the hands of the novice or the cruel no more horrendous device has ever been placed on a horse's head.
You have more things to find there.When you find them just post us a smiley,please.

bluestem · Oct 11, 2008

You're very welcome, Chong! I've always had a fascination with old bits. If you find any more, please post pictures. Or PM me one, at least!

Maybe the Spanish were camping in this spot, with the tack stored in one area, and for whatever reason (ambush?), it was left there. Maybe these bits were part of extra bridles that got dropped. If you ever get a clue as to how these came to be there, please let us know what your opinion is. You don't have to tell us why.