”Very” Rare Confederate Officers pattern ”Brass Bridle Bit.” Research indicates strongly, this Bridle Bit was almost certainly the the product of the ”Shay, Williamson and Co.” of Raliegh, North Carolina. This company supplied the Richmond Arsenal with spurs, belt & saddle mountings and is the only firm known, to have supplied ”brass bridle bits.” Due to its Manufacture configuration, the action of the reins, tended to loosen the whole assembly and many were discarded in the field. Intact specimens are exceedingly rare and I have personally only encountered four. Originally from the Steve Mullinax collection & Research provided by the very well done work of ”Howard R. Crouch.” ”Horse Equipment of the Civil War Era”. This excellent reference is invaluable for the Cavalry Collector.