Civil War Cavalry Horse Bit – From the Antietam Museum

Civil War Cavalry Horse Bit – From the Antietam Museum – Inventory Number: CAV 116

This original Civil War-era cavalry bit crafted in iron with classic swept-back shanks and an intact center port, this piece reflects the rugged and utilitarian design used by Union cavalry troops in the field. The iron has aged beautifully, with a naturally oxidized patina and period wear consistent with 1860s military use.

This artifact is not only a striking relic of 19th-century horsemanship but also carries provenance from one of the nation’s most hallowed battlefields—Antietam, where over 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing in a single day of combat. A rare museum-held example of wartime horse tack from America’s bloodiest day.

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Inventory Number: CAV 116