Germany, Imperial. A Cavalry Horse Bridle, c.1900

This bridle in unmarked and is composed of three thick brown leather straps, measuring 27 mm in width, the upper on each strap smooth, the undersides unfinished, emanating from a central point. The central point bears a domed metal cap measuring 42 mm in diameter, on a 61 mm in diameter base, with a groove at the midway point of the base and travelling around the circumference. mounted to a circular leather patch with a narrow strap stitched in place on the reverse. Two of these straps emerge from the underside of the circular leather patch and are designed to be placed on either side of the head of the horse, each of which is linked to a second strap via large rectangular metal buckle and secured in place via a fixed metal slider, each of the second straps with three holes for length adjustment, the facing-up tips of the second straps with a pentagon-shaped metal tab affixed via three rivets. The opposite end of each of these second straps fold over to the reverse and house a 45 mm diameter metal circular snaffle bit. Both snaffle bits are linked by a very thick two-piece and well-stitched 250 mm long x 40 mm wide noseband, which is smooth-finished on both sides. Each snaffle bit also has a 15 mm wide brown leather strap wrapped around it, with a small rectangular buckle, each of these straps with six holes for length adjustment, the facing-up tips of these straps with a small pentagon-shaped metal tab affixed via a single rivet and adjoining a fixed leather slider. The third thick brown leather strap attached to the underside of the domed metal cap has a second piece stitched in place to it, extending its length, with a buckle at the midway point and a fixed leather slider on this attached strap, with seven holes for length adjustment. The leathers exhibit some crazing and wear but remain relatively supple, minor dents on the domed metal cap, the buckle on the third thick strap with rust present, all three buckles with rust on their prongs. As worn.