Using spurs in a brigade or cavalry is something that over many years is practiced in various different countries. Cavalry boot spurs have been used as a show of military rank and competence in the brigade and spurs were awarded to those cavalrymen who had moved on to being much more than just a new recruit.

There is an old tradition known as the spur ride where all of the new military cavalry recruits perform a series of tests and events that test their skills on top of their steed. They were checked on their knowledge on the rules, regulations, history and traditions of the mounted cavalry, which the soldiers were expected to recite these facts from only their memory. The “Spur Ride” was a way that the mounted cavalry could “earn their spurs” to prove and demonstrate that they had become more accomplished horsemen and soldiers than the new recruits.

After the soldiers had been involved in their first fight, they were awarded a 2nd set of spurs as a form of medal and then were accepted in to “The Order Of The Spur”. The spurs and a certificate were mostly given during a special banquet or event that was known as a “Spur Dinner” where all of new recruits were given their heel spurs, details of comrades killed in battle were read out and any other medals and awards were presented. As well as getting the boot spurs, the soldiers were also given a stetson hat, which was also a sign of accomplishment within the ranks.

The cavalry soldiers that had earned their spurs were then perceived as a better level than those in the cavalry who had none or were yet to earn their spurs. Although the soldiers may be of a similar or the same military rank, that they had “earned their spurs” during battle, as part of the “Spur Ride” or a task was a sign of their seniority over those who had none.

Cavalry boot spurs were primarily manufactured using silver and were mainly styled on the English Prince Of Wales style spur design. There were also sets of gold heel spurs were presented to soldiers of a higher military rank or to soldiers that were involved in a larger number of combat scenarios.

There are many types of boot spurs that have been worn and used over Western America. If you come over to the authors web site, you can find a lot more information about heel spurs and see some pictures of Cavalry Spurs and find out detail about the people that made them.

Post from: www.mccoy-pottery.net

The American Cavalry Spurs