This item is an unusual remnant of a Bridle Bit. It was found in relic condition in Gettysburg on the William Cromer Farm along Rock Creek. Heavily pitted and rusted, it measures approximately 5-¼ inches by 3-¼ inches. This item is roughly one-third of a complete bridle bit. Portions of the port, cheek piece, rein slot, bridle billet eye are all present. The curb bit is unusual because it is jointed; one-half of the joint is present. This style bridle bit is not listed in The American Military Saddle, 1776 - 1945 by R. Stephen Dorsey and Kenneth L. McPheeters but a similar drawing appears in the same book on page 359 in figure 3. It is identified in John Geiselman's collection by his museum listing and is accompanied by a small round white paper tag with John's inventory number neatly printed "120". It is an attractive and unusual item and would make a nice addition to a Civil War or Gettysburg relic collection or display.

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The Horse Soldier is pleased to offer a number of items from the John P. Geiselman collection, a collection that was on display for many years at the Geiselman Country Store Museum on Barlow - Two Taverns Road. Geiselman began his collecting as a child in the early 1920s, and during the pre-World II period had access to artifacts that had been purchased earlier at the estate sales of the Trostle, Rogers, Rose, Weikert, and Wentz farms - local properties that figured prominently in the battle and its aftermath. During this period he had access as well to the Hill , Plank, and Stewart collections, and was able to acquire other items that had been sold from turn-of-the-century relics establishments such as the Danner, Ziegler, and Oak Ridge Museums. Furthermore, Geiselman carefully documented most artifacts, and collectors perusing the list will be able to note, in many instances, not only the source of the relic and the date of its recovery, but also the part of the battlefield from which it came. In other words, his collection is the last major grouping of Gettysburg artifacts assembled and documented by a local resident.

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