British Horse Brass

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#FF0000" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0a2a4641dvlddx.jpg"> <div> <B>Try</B><FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Us</B></FONT><B>First.com </B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=185 BGCOLOR="#000066" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" TryUsFirst.com "><U><B><IMG SRC="06f45250.gif" border=0 width="69" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" TryUsFirst.com "><U><B>HOME</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MiniDepot"><U><B><IMG SRC="06f45250.gif" border=0 width="69" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MiniDepot"><U><B>Mini-Depot</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vintage English Furniture"><U><B><IMG SRC="06f45250.gif" border=0 width="69" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vintage English Furniture"><U><B>Vintage English Furniture</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" English Wedding Sixpence"><U><B><IMG SRC="06f45250.gif" border=0 width="69" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" English Wedding Sixpence"><U><B>English Wedding</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" English Wedding Sixpence"><U><B>Sixpence</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="British Horse Brass"><U><B><IMG SRC="06f45250.gif" border=0 width="69" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="British Horse Brass"><U><B>British Horse Brass</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="British Collectibles"><U><B><IMG SRC="06f45250.gif" border=0 width="69" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="British Collectibles"><U><B>British Collectibles</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Current Auctions"><U><B><IMG SRC="06f45250.gif" border=0 width="69" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Current Auctions"><U><B>Visit our Auctions</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U><B><IMG SRC="06f45250.gif" border=0 width="69" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U><B>CONTACT US</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>British Horse Brass</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" "><U><B>Symbols</B></U></A><A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" "><U><B> </B></U></A><B>   </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Horses"><U><B>Horses</B></U></A><A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Horses"><U><B> </B></U></A></FONT><B>   </B><A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Places"><U><B> </B></U></A><A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Places"><U><B>Places</B></U></A><B>  </B><B>   </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="People"><U><B>People</B></U></A><B>   </B></FONT><B> </B><A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Royals"><U><B>Royalty</B></U></A><A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Royals"><U><B> </B></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>  </B><B> </B><A HREF="id51.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Transport"><U><B>Transportation</B></U></A><B> </B></FONT><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Harness Wear"><U><B>Harness Wear, Straps, etc.</B></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>H</B><B>or</B><B>se brass dates back to the early Romans and possibly earlier. It was used for both decoration and for protection for the horses. Horses were very important and their owners believed that the early amulet designs of the brasses kept evil spirits from harming the horses who were unable to protect themselves. </B></div> <div> <B>The earliest designs were symbols and shapes which had specific meanings to ward off the evil and to bring good luck. They were first used in Britain by the Gypsies and became quite fashionable and spread to both the working and riding horses of all classes. </B></div> <div> <B>The brasses began to portray more obvious designs and represent current subjects and events, often grouped together on leather straps to tell a "story" about the owner or his trade, along with beautifully decorating the horse!</B></div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1c7c8000.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="256" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Bells, plumes, swingers, rosettes, martingales, straps and bands, along with flowers and even candles, made for a sight to behold! The brass was kept brilliant and the leather was polished to a gleam.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> In the coastal areas and Scotland, brasses were often made of nickel as the salt air affected the brass. Silver was also used in the manufacture of the "brasses" and used mainly by the wealthy to display family crests or initials.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The early brasses were attached to the leather by means of studs or getts which were inserted through the leather and then bent in the back. The hanging or pendant brasses became popular around the mid 1800's and the studs on the backs of the brasses were filed down to prevent them from harming the leather straps.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Manufacturing methods were casting in moulds or stamping from a sheet of brass. Casting was the earlier method and the studs or getts were used to remove the finished piece from the mould and then attach to the leather or file down. Often the cast brasses have the remains of these getts still showing. Many reproduction brasses also have the impressions of the old studs as an integral part of their manufacture.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The demand for brasses reached its peak in the second half of the 1800's and diminished greatly after W.W.I. Though they are still widely used in Britain and continue to be cherished, there are few manufactures left today. Peerage, William of Walsall, and Wetherall were among some of the best known manufacturers. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The brasses of today will surely become the collectibles of tomorrow as they are produced in such small numbers compared to other so-called collectibles!!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Whether they are used for horse decoration or displayed at home, the British Horse Brasses are very interesting, affordable and sure to appreciate in value. We have customers who have used the brasses in very "non-traditional"  ways, such as: </B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">furniture, cabinet and door handles            </B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">trim around doorways</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">wall borders</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">given as awards</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">windchimes</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Christmas tree ornaments</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">table inlays</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">fan, light & bell pulls</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">on ribbon for bookmarkers</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We have a very large inventory of genuine Horse Brass, Pony Brass and even Elephant Brass which we have brought back from the U.K.!! The list includes antique and vintage pieces along with new items.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Our inventory of antique and vintage harness-wear includes gorgeous brass hames and collars, martingales, breastplates, etc. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We are proud to be past members of the National Horse Brass Society (UK).</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Drop us an </B><A HREF="mailto:info@tryusfirst.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@tryusfirst.com"><U><B>e-mail</B></U></A><B> and let us know what you're looking for...we are always happy to hear from you!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Click on the styles below to see some of the brasses and harness wear we currently have posted:</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>All prices on our horse brass include U.S.A First Class shipping. If International shipping is needed, please let us know and we can give you a quote on your purchases.</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b701400000ff00.png" HEIGHT="21" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Symbols</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Horses"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b701400000ff00.png" HEIGHT="21" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Horses</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Places"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b701400000ff00.png" HEIGHT="21" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Places</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="People"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b701400000ff00.png" HEIGHT="21" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">People</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Royals"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b701400000ff00.png" HEIGHT="21" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Royalty</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id51.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Transport"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b701400000ff00.png" HEIGHT="21" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Transportation</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b701400000ff00.png" HEIGHT="21" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Commemoratives</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Harness Wear"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b701400000ff00.png" HEIGHT="21" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Harness Wear, Straps, etc.</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id22_m.htm" TITLE="British Horse Brass"><U><I><B>Back to top</B></I></U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us "><U><B>About Us </B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Products and Services"><U><B>Our Products and Services</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U><B>Contact Us</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id93.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Thank You"><U><B>Thank You</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Copyright TryUsFirst.com 2008</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>