Posted 11 years ago
abitwise
(3 items)
Found these spurs in the barn. I can see on the Spur R.I. 91 then N.S.
I think it means Rock Island (Arsinal) or Rhode Island. and the N. S. means Nickel Steel. Not sure but they are showing a lot of age. I'm guessing from early 1900's. Appears to have the original straps.
I wrote to the Rock Island Arsenal Museum for reply. Below is the answer:
What you have are Model 1911 spurs and straps manufactured at Rock Island
Arsenal for use by US Army cavalry troops and officers. They would have
been produced sometime after 1911 and before 1920.
The "A" in "RIA" and the last number in the date are just worn off. The
"NS" means nickel steel, as the spurs were manufactured from 27% nickel
steel.