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Vintage Hitched Horsehair Bridle with Santa Barbara-Style Spade Bit – Kissing Birds Cheek Plates
THE BRIDLE
A beautiful handmade hitched horsehair bridle in display-quality condition.
• 70-inch reins with tassel
• Throatlatch with tassels
• Multicolored rosette on the headstall
• Adjustable knots for sizing; fits a standard-size horse
• Rich red, blue and turquoise color work
Condition: Never used on a horse and kept in a display case its entire life. Excellent condition with no yellowing of the horsehair.
Background: Based on my research, the color palette suggests this bridle dates to approximately the 1930s. The abundance of tassels and overall style closely resemble the well-known Deer Lodge bridles, and it may have originated from the Montana State Prison hobby store. Origin and date are not documented and are offered as my best research, not a guarantee.
THE SPADE BIT
A vintage spade bit believed to be a Santa Barbara-style bit, featuring kissing birds on the cheek plates.
• The number \"18\" is stamped on the inside of the cheek, which may indicate it was made in 1918 (unconfirmed)
• Pristine condition; does not appear to have ever been used on a horse
• Also kept in a display case
A wonderful pair for a Western collector, display or museum-quality tack collection. Please review all photos carefully, as they are part of the description. Feel free to message me with any questions.
