CIVIL WAR, CAVALRY, BOX SPURS, MATCHED SET, VINTAGE

The term “box” spur is derived from the use of small metal box inlet into the heel of a boot into which the central metal prong between the side bars of the spur is inserted and held by a spring or by spring tension. This eliminated the need for spur straps and made it easier to remove the spurs when dismounted. Crouch (Hist. Am. Spurs) noted that these were very popular before and during the Civil War and that most, like these, were European imports. The 1864 Schuyler, Hartley and Graham catalogue shows them, but they were widely offered by other military goods dealers.

Box spurs came in several styles and degrees of lavishness. This pair is meant to be functional, with flat side bars with squared ends, and long straight rectangular necks that flair just slightly to retain the rowels.

These are in excellent condition, unpolished, with a mellow tone, no bends, functional rowels, and some scratches and wear spots showing a darker iron beneath the plating.  They would look great with a cavalry officer’s grouping.