Spurs, Dress

Spurs are small pieces of riding equipment attached to the back of a rider’s boot heels. They allow for direct communication between a rider and the horse. 

Spurs, Dress - image1These spurs are Box spurs date back to the wearing of overalls by the army. As breeches and boots were introduced to the cavalry uniform, the box spur became part of mess dress.

Box spurs have no spur strap but do have a long metal prong which is inserted into a specially fitted recess or “box” in the base of the dress boot heel. See red circled part in the photo. Box and dress spurs are the same thing.

Background: All mounted personnel were required to wear spurs on their boots with most forms of dress and an official version was introduced in February 1931. Until the Second World War when cavalries were replaced by war machines, horse spurs were part of the standard cavalry officer’s uniform. The use of spurs declined in day-to-day activities, but dress spurs remain part of the kit for formal attire.

Note: Although the British Army had begun to experiment with mechanised transport, at the start of the Great War the horse remained the most common form of transport. Large parts of the army were supplied with horses. The Cavalry, Army Service Corps and Royal Artillery especially made great use of horses. These units issued their men with specific equipment to help care for and ride these animals. Amongst the various items were spurs.

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