Horse People take a look at this bit

hunterridgefarm · Sep 8, 2015

I grew up with horses which is one of the reasons I don't have one now

While cleaning up my dads shop this weekend I found this bit. Can someone tell how old it is or if it is just made to look old?

I brought home boxes of old horse shoes, reins, bits, and other horse tack but don't ever recall seeing or using this bit.

Thanks
David

Walkin Horse · Sep 8, 2015

I doubt it real old. It's a nice bit though. It looks as though the way you have it laid that it is upside down. Headstall goes on bottom rings. Reins on the top rings.
It could have a nice story hanging on your wall. That may have been the bit your dad used on the last Calvary charge in the Philipines in '42 or.......

tallyho8 · Sep 8, 2015

That appears to be a mild English snaffle bit made with sweet iron that is designed to rust when wet giving the horse a sweet taste and promoting salivation. I'm not that experienced with English bits since I ride western but the added designs on the sides are very rare so some old English rider might know the manufacturer by those designs.

Walkin Horse · Sep 8, 2015

My bit expert ( I'm just like Rick Harrison) says it's a Pelham. It is a combination of a snaffle and a curb bit. The third set of rings is where the curb chain,for the brakes,hooks to.

hunterridgefarm · Sep 8, 2015

Yep, we always rode western so that is why this bit confused me a little. The leafs are brass or something similar.

Thought it may be one of those expensive bits...I guess I watch one to many Ghost Town Gold shows:laughing:

sseelhoff · Sep 8, 2015

hunterridgefarm said:
I grew up with horses which is one of the reasons I don't have one now

While cleaning up my dads shop this weekend I found this bit. Can someone tell how old it is or if it is just made to look old?

I brought home boxes of old horse shoes, reins, bits, and other horse tack but don't ever recall seeing or using this bit.

Thanks
David

My wife, the horse expert, says it's close to a Pelham family and is something that would be used for driving horses maybe for a cart.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelham_bit

Wagtail · Sep 8, 2015

Walkin Horse said:
My bit expert ( I'm just like Rick Harrison) says it's a Pelham. It is a combination of a snaffle and a curb bit. The third set of rings is where the curb chain,for the brakes,hooks to.

Yep, that's exactly what it is, a 'pelham'. The OP's picture has it displayed upside down... bridle to the middle rings, reins to the bottom rings and the curb chain attaches to the top rings going under the horse's jaw.

Walkin Horse · Sep 8, 2015

Wagtail said:
Yep, that's exactly what it is, a 'pelham'. The OP's picture has it displayed upside down... bridle to the middle rings, reins to the bottom rings and the curb chain attaches to the top rings going under the horse's jaw.

Are you sure the curb doesn't go in the middle.