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Some markings:
C.S. Confederate
States (Confederate Government Richmond Depot Issued)
U.S. United
States
N.S. Nickel Steel
A.B. Manufacturer August Buermann - August
Buermann
was born in Sattenhausen, Germany Aug. 04, 1842. He apprenticed as a
locksmith in Germany and he arrived in New York Aug. 1864. A few
weeks later he went into the Army as a substitute for someone who came
into the locksmithing company where he was working, looking for a
volunteer. August Buermann Mfg. Co. began making spurs for both the civilian and military
markets. Most all of the civilian Buermann spurs after about 1912 were stamped
with a star in
the government contract versions. Buermann contract spurs were marked
US over AB
on the inside yoke base, opposite the shank. Many of the "1911 officer
spurs" that are seen today were private purchase Buermann's. Officially,
both enlisted men and officers were issued the same 1911 spur, except
the
officers were entitled to heel chains instead of leather but a wide
variety of
spurs and 1911 variations were used. The 1914 experimental spur was the
only
other official spur authorized besides the M1903, which was in use
until after WWl and the M1911 which was issued beginning in 1912 and was in use
until the
end of the era. The 1914 spur had downward bent yoke ends and two lugs
instead
of one. Buermann was bought by North & Judd, a huge hardware company, who continued to make
some cavalry
goods until the dismounting in 1948. Partrade now owns the remnants of
North
& Judd, and they deal chiefly in imported inexpensive pet horse
hardware.
(Webmaster's note: Thank you to Ms. Muriel
Parker for the information on her great grandfather, August Buermann!)
WL Whithorse Lecompte - Another
government contractor who made quite a few bits and spurs for the government
relative to the WW1 contracts. Not nearly as many as Buermann, though. There are
a few spurs out there that are unit marked, for example, an extra "2"
(and other stamp) may be a mark denoting it to the Second Cavalry
R.I.A. Rock Island Arsenal
N&J Manufacturer North & Judd
L&R Leech & Rigdon - Confederate
Spur Manufacturer
Boone Manufacturer (Actual descendants of Daniel Boone)
MSH Could possibly stand for
Miller Saddlery and Harness - I don't know if they contracted for
the Government in wartime, but if General Motors could make machine guns and
Smith Corona could make optics for the Army, seems like any horseman
manufacturer could worm in on a contract. Millers stayed in business until after
Korea, then became Miller Stockman.

These Cavalry spurs were made from the Civil War to about 1903.

Rock Island Arsenal Cavalry Spurs dated 1903.
A.B.
Cavalry Spurs
A steeply angled rooster tail denotes the Mississippi style Confederate Spurs
If you want to do your Spur homework, go
here first!
____________________________________________________________________________________
The Order of
the Spur
1. The Order of the Spur is to
recognize individual qualifications for those in a cavalry unit. The privilege
of being awarded Spurs in 7th U.S. Cavalry comes with hard work.
2.
The following minimum guidelines must be met:
2
years in the 7th U.S. Cavalry.
MOSQ or Branch qualified
Interview with Squadron Commander.
3.
Qualified on a Squadron Spur Ride. The title belies the nature of this event. A Spur
Ride is led by "Spur Qualified" Non-commissioned Officers and is
supervised by the Squadron Command Sergeant Major. Officers, generally, conduct
their own Spur Ride along similar lines. Traditionally, it starts at the break
of day with group PT or a PT test; individuals and their equipment are
inspected, and a thorough hazing of candidates begins. During the course of the
day, candidates are subjected to different stations that test their initiative,
military expertise, and stamina. As night approaches, the candidates are
assembled and provided with instructions. From there, the candidates must
negotiate a general route from station to station where, again, their skills and
tenacity are tested. Their route is designed to take them over a twenty-five
mile course in the dead of night. During the course of the night and usually
into the morning, candidates negotiate the course and, eventually, arrive at the
finish line.
4.
In addition to the above minimum requirements, the following are criteria that
will be graded on a point system. A total of 300 out of a maximum of 450 will
qualify.
Point Values:
Individual Weapons Qualification: Marksman = 50/ Sharpshooter = 100/ Expert =
150
Annual Physical Fitness Test: 180-220 = 50/ 220 - 270 = 100/ 270-300 = 150
Cavalry Thesis w/bibliography: Grade C = 50/ Grade B = 100/ Grade A = 150
_________________________________________________________________
Here's Another example from
Army Reserve Cav unit E Trp, 101st Cav:
Reference for esteemed brothers of the Order
of the Spur and would be maggots. For those that aspire to someday joined
the ranks of those elevated to a stature in life befitting a Spur Holder, the
following applies:
All candidates will be selected, voted on by
the Spur Association and invited to attend the annual Spur Ride based on this
criteria.
-
Attended Basic and Advanced Individual
Training.
-
Be a member of the Troop E 101st Cavalry
for one year.
-
Attain and hold the rank of Specialist or
above.
-
Attend a unit annual training rotation or
an alternate in a constructive attendance status.
-
Spur candidate nomination must be
approved by Spur Association.
In addition to the above stated criteria it
is required for invitation to the Spur Ride, a qualifying soldier must meet a
minimum score of 400 out of 570 points. The points and there maximum
totals are listed below.
| Qualifier |
Criteria |
Maximum
total |
| Drill Attendance: |
10 points for each
scheduled drill |
120 |
| APFT: |
points only, regardless of
pass\fail
additional 25 points awarded for passing score
|
325 |
| Marksmanship: |
marksman: 25 points
sharpshooter: 50 points
Expert: 75 points
|
75 |
| Super Scout Event
Participation |
Participating in and
completing the Super Scout Team Competition |
50 |
| Bonus Points: |
AT Attendance, Army School
attendance, State or federal activation. |
20 |
Also, past unit members that have made
a significant impact on the unit may be considered for invitation contingent
upon approval of the Spur Association.
________________________________________________________________________
Here is an example of required tasks - this
also varies from unit to unit
SPUR CANDIDATES WILL BE TESTED ON THE
FOLLOWING TASKS DURING CIRCUIT TRAINING:
EVACUATE A CASUALTY
WEAPONS STATION ( M16A2, M240B, M9 )
MYSTERY TASK
ISSUE A SALUTE REPORT
PLACE SINCGARS RADIO INTO OPERATION
EMPLOY CLAYMORE MINE
PERSONAL CAMOUFLAGE
DECONTAMINATE SELF AND EQUIPMENT
EMPLOY CHEMICAL DETECTION
RECITE FIDDLER'S GREEN POEM
SPUR CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE ALL TASKS AS
A TEAM
Many units require you to go through an obstacle
course - see these pics
Another
spur ride in Germany
__________________________________________________________________
Rules of the Mess - (The Spur Ceremony
Dinner)
Once the war is over or the Spur Ride is completed, the former
candidates are awarded their Spurs in a formal ceremony which honors their
intestinal fortitude and valiant efforts. Below is one example of the
"Rules of the Mess."
-
The
head table shall consist of the entire Spur Committee and Guest of Honor.
-
The
uniform of the Spur holders will be dress blue, mess dress, or Army Class
A’s with bow tie, Spurs and Stetson.
-
The
formal portion begins with the call to mess and ends with the lighting of
the smoking lamp.
-
The
XO will use a bugle to call the mess. All personnel will be standing
behind their seats within one minute of the mess being called.
-
Once
the formal portion commences, no one may leave their seats without
permission from the Senior Spur Holder.
-
No
smoking is allowed inside the mess until the smoking lamp has been lit. (The
XO will be responsible to provide this lamp.)
-
Individuals
will be seated by team. (Past and Present)
-
The
toasts are mandatory and will be done correctly.
-
The
following toast will be assigned by the XO prior to the mess:
HHT:
"To the President of the United States"
Response:
"To the Commander-in-Chief"
A TRP:
"To the United States Army"
Response:
"To the Army"
B TRP:
"To the III Mobile Corps"
Response:
"To the Phantom Corps"
C TRP:
"To the 1st Cavalry Division"
Response:
"1st Team"
D TRP:
"To the 4th Brigade"
Response:
"Warrior"
E TRP:
"To the U.S. Cavalry, the spirit lives on in the 7th Cavalry"
Response:
"Garryowen"
F TRP:
"To the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment"
Response:
"Seventh First"
CSM
:
"To the Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry"
Response:
"To the Soldiers"
Squadron
XO: "To Our Fallen Comrades who have ridden
before and have earned their hallowed
places
in Fiddler’s Green."
No
Response
Squadron
Commander: "To our honored
Guests"
(In
some units, this is replaced with "To the Ladies")
Response:
"Here! Here!"
-
Interaction
between the Spur Committee and the mess.
A.
Points of Order - (Points of Order are used to make charges of an
infraction or violation) An individual making a point of order will raise
his right arm, stand and sound off loudly with “Point of Order”. All
others are required to cease conversation. The Senior Spur Holder will
answer, “Make your point.” Accusations are then made.
B.
When addressed by a Spur Committee member all others will immediately
cease conversation. The individual being addressed will stand in place
respond appropriately.
C.
When required to report to a Spur Committee member, the Spur member
will quickly stand and walk briskly to within three feet of the head table, stop
and make a facing movement to be centered directly in front of the committee
member that called him. He will then salute and say, “Sir, (rank and
name) reports”.
-
Following
is a list of violations that may be brought forth as a Point of Order:
A.
Anything determined by the head table.
B.
Improperly worn Spurs.
C.
Improperly worn Stetson.
D.
Calling the Stetson a “hat”.
E.
Out of proper uniform.
F.
Smoking prior to the lamp being lit.
G.
Moving from seat without permission.
H.
Uncharged glass during toasts.
I.
Making false charges.
J.
Quibbling.
K.
Chewing tobacco before the smoking lamp is lit.
L.
Improper toasting procedure.
M.
Foul language.
N.
Harming a Shave Tail.
O.
Spilling of drinks or breakage of glass.
P.
Inability to respond to being coined.
Q.
“Tossing your cookies” in the mess.
*
Note: Spur committee members will judge the validity of any infractions
and rule on the necessary penalty. Possible penalties include but are not
limited to: reciting “Fiddler’s Green”, push-ups, performing, fines
(not to exceed $2.00), and eviction from the mess.
________________________________________________________________________
Wearing the Cavalry Spurs
Many units have specific requirements regarding the wear of the
Spurs. Some are memorandums and some are created as an addition to the
Army Regulation 670-1 - Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia.
Here is an example:
2. Spurs: Spurs will be worn as a matched pair. Only Prince of Wales type
spurs will be worn.
a. Low Quarters: The spurs will be affixed to the
footgear midway between the upper
portion of the sole and the lower part of the heel along the seam of the
shoe. The U shaped portion shall enclose the shoe in such a manner as to assure that the
rowel of the spurs curves down to the ground*. The strap will be fastened over the instep
of the footgear in such a manner that the buckle faces to the outside of the foot. b. Boots: The spurs will be affixed to the footgear so that the U-shaped
portion follows the seam of the ankle support. Ensure that the rowel curves
downward to the ground. The strap will be fastened over the instep of the
footgear in such a manner that the buckles face the outside of the boot. c. Occasions for wearing the spurs: Regimental/Squadron formations,
parades, reviews and ceremonies, Squadron dining-ins/outs and other
social functions conducted in class A or dress uniform. Spur calls,
Spur Award Ceremonies and any other time deemed appropriate by Saber 6.
* In some units, tradition says that spurs worn with the rowels pointing up are
to be worn by single soldiers
and rowels down indicate married soldiers. (Consult your local unit procedures!)
A
Detailed Spur History - here!
E
Troop, 101st Cav even has a Constitution with all the laws and by-laws of their Spur
program (as most units do.) Check it out!
Check
out 1-7 Cavalry's Spur Program and video!
They even had a Spur Ride for Family Members! Lots of pictures!
1st
Armored Division Spur Ride Article - with photos
V
Corps 2-6 Cav Spur Ride Article - In the Vanguard - with photos
2-6
Cavalry Spur Ride Article - In the Stars & Stripes
Spur Rides Force Soldiers To Put It All Together - Article from
CavalryScouts.com 1-17 Cav's Fellowship of the Winged Spur
Don't
Squat With Yer Spurs On!
A Cowboy's Guide to Life by Texas Bix Bender
Here's an excerpt from the book, good common sense advice:
- Crisis management principle: Good judgment comes from experience, and a
lot of that comes from bad judgment
- Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier 'n puttin' it back.
- Negotiation principle: Never drop yer gun to hug a grizzly.
- Other Guidelines: If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back
every now and then to make sure it's still there.
- If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin'
somebody else's dog around.
- A good horse never comes in a bad color.
- After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started
roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him... The moral:
When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
- Never kick a fresh cow chip on a hot day.
- There's two theories to arguin' with a woman. Neither one works.
- Don't worry about bitin' off more than you can chew. Your mouth is
probably a whole lot bigger'n you think.
- If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
- Never slap a man who's chewin' tobacco.
- It don't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.
- Always drink upstream from the herd.
- When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or a person, don't be
surprised if they learn their lesson.
- When you're throwin' your weight around, be ready to have it thrown around
by somebody else.
- Always take a good look at what you're about to eat. It's not so important
to know what it is, but you might need to know what it was.
- The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back
in your pocket.
- Never miss a good chance to shut up.
- There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading... The
few who learn by observation... And the rest, who have to piss on the
electric fence for themselves...!!
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