This is military pad cheek curb bit. It has a low port.
It is made of steel with a dark patina.
The mouthpiece is stamped "C & M 77" (possibly 1877?) "H.H." and "G & W Almond"
G & W Almond are recorded in Grace's Guide :
1867 Cases of Unjust Weights and Measures included 'George and William Almond, Willow Walk, Bermondsey, currier : Eleven weights—six not stamped. Fined £2 15s' in the South London Press
And from the Dundee Advertiser in 1880 'At the London Bankruptcy Court to-day a receiver and manager was appointed in the estate of W. T. Almond, Bermondsey, army contractor, trading as G. & W. Almond, whose liabilities are stated at £30,000.
The cheeks are curved, each bears a rein loop, there is a curved shackle bar.
There is a finely cast round brass cheek boss surmounted by a St. Edward's crown on each side of the bit.
In the centre of each cheek badge there is Queen Victoria's cipher "VR", surrounding this there is a garter which reads "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense".
The bit has its original curb chain, which is attached to the upper bit ring on the offside and the original curb hook on the nearside
Dimensions : mouthpiece 12cm (4¾"), cheeks 21cm (8¼") not including rein loops
Weight 890g (1 lb 15¼ oz)
