Steve Schmitt's Personal Silver Overlaid Port Bit

Steve Schmitt's Personal Silver Overlaid Port Bit

Maker-marked "Schmitt Bit & Spur", this lovely and artfully engraved California style bit features 2 1/4" domed conchos on the cheeks mounted above three smaller domed conchos. Excellent condition.

Before I left for Elmer Miller's Bit and Spur Making School in 1988, my wife Carol and I went through his catalog to determine what I should build. Carol pointed out this bit, saying that she just loved the design. So for my fourth bit, and one I knew I had to engrave myself, I honored by promise to my bride.

The engraving is rudimentary, but for the second time out, not too shabby. Except the concho, Carol loves its simplicity, so I never replaced it. In order to learn another skill, I put on an engraved port cover cover originally. But it was a little short, and kept filling with hay, rendering the cricket silent. This upset horses who were used to rolling the cricket, so I removed it several years later. Became a great using bit Carol made sure to use whenever she went out on whatever horse.

Excellent condition.