curiousk Posted 30 June , 2016 Share Posted 30 June , 2016 My son is learning about WW1 at primary school, so when I found a pair of spurs labelled "1914-18 WAR" in a charity shop this morning, I knew that he would find them incredibly interesting. I bought them ............. but I'd be so grateful if someone could confirm whether or not they are likely to have seen action on the battlefield before I send him into school with misleading evidence. I can't find any markings (numbers, letters etc) on the spurs, but the spinning wheels at the end are made of two coins from Belgium. One is dated 1904 and the other is dated 1906. Photo #1 Photo #2 Photo #3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousk Posted 1 July , 2016 Author Share Posted 1 July , 2016 I'm guessing that no-one knows .........? If possible though, would someone be able to explain why they have Belgium coins in them ....? I'd be very grateful for any insight .....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy 60th Posted 1 July , 2016 Share Posted 1 July , 2016 Perhaps the owner felt sorry for the horse and removed the spiky wheels and substituted them with something kinder eg. the coins. I do have a pair of spurs which came with some 1916 dated boots and they do look rather similar but the straps are slightly different. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousk Posted 1 July , 2016 Author Share Posted 1 July , 2016 Thanks, Roger. My son (who is only 9 years old) has taken them into school very proudly, so at least they won't be far off the mark if not totally accurate. I found an auction listing of antique spurs which also have Belgium coins as spinners .......... http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-military-cavalry-spurs-cica-1776022420 They aren't the same as mine as the coins have different dates, but it does suggest that there may have been a trend of doing this at some point, somewhere during those years. Has anyone come across this before? I just have a very strong mental image of someone in 1914 sitting down to modify their spurs and I wonder where their idea to do this came from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Cross Posted 2 July , 2016 Share Posted 2 July , 2016 I have seen many Great War spurs and have a pair in front of me as I type this. The profile of the metal part in your photos is a good match but there are other differences. The coins are obviously not original and in the genuine ones on front of me the rotating part is not held in by a pin/axle like yours. The leather straps are stitched whereas one side of your spurs has a metal staple of some sort. See photo for extra leather part also. MC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousk Posted 2 July , 2016 Author Share Posted 2 July , 2016 Thanks, Mike - I really appreciate your help (and the photo). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghch1555 Posted 8 July , 2016 Share Posted 8 July , 2016 Hi there Have not logged in for a while and just noticed your post. My grandfather served in the Australian artillery as the rank of Driver in World War 1 - 55th Battery then moved to 31st Battery with his brother (my Great uncle). Some years ago we discovered a set of spurs and leather gaiters (some may refer to these at leggings) at the family farm. Although we cannot be sure, we believe these to be his spurs and gaiters from WW1 - the gaiters are stamped 1916. There is no date stamp on the spurs - they are both however stamped with the words "SOLID NICKEL" on the inside of the heel. As I understand it, as both worked with horses, the Australian Artillerymen and Light Horsemen were issued the same style of spurs and gaiters. We only have one photo of my grandfather wearing these (if they are in fact his) - it's after the war at his brothers wedding! My grandfather is standing - his brother (the groom) is seated,. I hope your son enhoys these images. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousk Posted 12 July , 2016 Author Share Posted 12 July , 2016 That's fantastic! Thank you ever so much. I love the wedding photo - it really brought it to life for my son. Thanks again for taking the time to share your story and images - I'm very grateful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geertsen Posted 25 July , 2016 Share Posted 25 July , 2016 On 30 June 2016 at 14:13, curiousk said: My son is learning about WW1 at primary school, so when I found a pair of spurs labelled "1914-18 WAR" in a charity shop this morning, I knew that he would find them incredibly interesting. I bought them ............. but I'd be so grateful if someone could confirm whether or not they are likely to have seen action on the battlefield before I send him into school with misleading evidence. I can't find any markings (numbers, letters etc) on the spurs, but the spinning wheels at the end are made of two coins from Belgium. One is dated 1904 and the other is dated 1906. Photo #1 Photo #2 Photo #3 Hi curiousk, I'm probably a bit late with this one but I have a very similar pair of spurs (the metal parts are virtually identical and they are stamped (both very indistinctly) 'Moss Bros & Co'. Maybe this could be a clue to their manufacturer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geertsen Posted 25 July , 2016 Share Posted 25 July , 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 25 July , 2016 Share Posted 25 July , 2016 I'm no expert on equipment but I wonder if the spurs may have been an officer's private purchase rather than army issue. Don't know if this helps or not! Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBH Posted 21 August , 2016 Share Posted 21 August , 2016 A little late with this, but the spurs in the original enquiry are WW1 period OR's jack spurs. It was a very common (unofficial) practice for cavalrymen to replace the rowels with a coin to produce a more satisfactory "jingle" when marching. The spurs photographed by Geertsen are known as "Prince of Wales" pattern, more of a civilian type than military but worn by the Household Cavalry in undress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 25 August , 2016 Share Posted 25 August , 2016 On 8/21/2016 at 23:50, PBH said: .... It was a very common (unofficial) practice for cavalrymen to replace the rowels with a coin to produce a more satisfactory "jingle" when marching. ... And the descendant of a very old practice! The dangly bits like a sporran worn by Roman soldiers were probably intended to give the same kind of jingle - and warn the peasants to get out of the way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Dragoon Posted 9 November , 2016 Share Posted 9 November , 2016 On 21/08/2016 at 23:50, PBH said: A little late with this, but the spurs in the original enquiry are WW1 period OR's jack spurs. It was a very common (unofficial) practice for cavalrymen to replace the rowels with a coin to produce a more satisfactory "jingle" when marching. The spurs photographed by Geertsen are known as "Prince of Wales" pattern, more of a civilian type than military but worn by the Household Cavalry in undress. As PBH says the shorter pricker was so they didn't become entangled in ladies dresses etc or crossed when dancing ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
healdav Posted 10 November , 2016 Share Posted 10 November , 2016 15 hours ago, Yorkshire Dragoon said: As PBH says the shorter pricker was so they didn't become entangled in ladies dresses etc or crossed when dancing ? Could have given them quite a gee up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now