This antique pair of 20-point horizontal rowel spurs, found among the battlefields along the Shenendoah Valley, VA region, is a unique addition to any Colonial American, Appilachia or Revolutionary War collector's showcase.
Ebay's only option to display this pair under Collectible Spurs was to place them under Western Americana, but they most certainly are not such specimens.These nickel spurs were made and stamped as such in England and likely belonged to either early Settler's or a British soldier who left them behind or lost them during the Revolutionary War.
Combined, the features that make these spurs quite unique:
- Extended 2 inch straight neck with horizontally oriented rowel (most found in this length have a blunt end)
- Round, compact rowel box of the same girth as the neck (most found relics have a swan neck)
- Short rowel, extending only 1/4 inch from rowel box
- ~20-Point, compact rowel with short spoked points (most have 6 or 12 points)
- Single, stationery stud or terminal on one side
- Stud and buckle no the other side
- Buckle connected to the stud by a hinged bracket for use with a leather boot strap or harness
- Made in England from rust resistant plated nickel
Spur #1 Total* Length: 5-1/2"
- 5-1/4" rowel box edge to arms end length
- 1/4" rowel extension
- 3-1/4" inside, neck to buckle depth
- 2" neck length
- 3" inside, arm to arm width
Spur #2 Total* Length: 5-3/4"
- 5-1/2" rowel box edge to arms end length
- 1/4" rowel extension
- 3-1/2" inside, neck to buckle depth
- 2" neck length
- 2-1/2" inside, arm to arm width
This pair at first glance has the appearance of being a same size pair since they are of the exact same construction, form and materials. However, held up together, it's easy to see that one is wider with thinner metal. It may have been the result of the wearer having an issue or injury to the foot that required one to be larger than the other or to wear a different type of boot or shoe.It's hard to know for sure. The narrower spur feels heavier than the larger wider one, but it could be that the spread of the metal feels lighter when holding it (I don't have a scale to the exact weight). Whatever the case, these spurs are not likely to be worn today, so this may not matter to a collector. Each spur is stamped "ENGLAND" at the heel.
Whether you're a collector or simply appreciate the beauty of Colonial Americana, these spurs are a must-have.