The Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway.
	Winchester, Virginia USA (changed hands 70 times in the Civil War!). authentic Civil War relics.
	relicman.com.

Ridgeway Reference Archive, Civil War relics.
Horse equipment, martingale.

This is the "Ridgeway Reference Archive", a research tool for educational purposes only, and is provided at no cost to the reader.   Some of the relics listed are retained in the author's collection, most reside in other collections and are not owned by the author.  None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to relicman.com sales listings for items offered for sale.  This is a work in progress, I list items as I get to them, there are many patterns that are not listed yet, this list will be regularly updated as I get pictures and descriptions for more items.  I will also correct mistakes, so if you see any please tell me.
All items listed are believed to be original and authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described.
Any excavated relics have been recovered from private property with owners permission.
Any artillery or ordnance relics have been disarmed and rendered safe.
Any weapons are pre 1898 antique weapons, and are exempt from Federal regulation, no licenses or permits are required.
This information is available for research purposes, pictures may be used by permission only.

Horse harness breast plate, heart shaped martingale, or blanket or saddle adornment, with star, white metal.
The martingale was used to adorn the breast strap on a harness rig.  This pattern depicting a star with a border is found in campaigns usually associated with Texas troops and is found adorning harness breast straps, saddle blankets, and saddles.  Many variations of it are found, this pattern is crudely manufactured, it was stamped on white metal sheet and trimmed, the cut is irregular, three attachment devices were soldered to the back.  Measurements will vary considerably as item is hand cut and often significantly off center.
Ref:  Crouch Artifacts, pg. 135, item 1.

M0974      Horse harness breast plate, heart shaped martingale, or blanket or saddle adornment, with star, white metal. The martingale was used to adorn the breast strap on a harness rig.  This pattern depicting a star with a border is found in campaigns usually associated with Texas troops and is found adorning harness breast straps, saddle blankets, and saddles.  Many variations of it are found, this pattern is crudely manufactured, it was stamped on white metal sheet and trimmed, the cut is irregular, three attachment devices were soldered to the back.  Measurements will vary considerably as item is hand cut and often significantly off center, this example measures 50mm x 60mm approx.  Dug plate, remains of three attachment hooks are visible.  Recovered: Tunnel Hill, Georgia and believed to have been associated with Terry's Texas Rangers, although more research will be required to confirm that. Ref:  Crouch Artifacts, pg. 135, item 1.

Horse harness breast plate, heart shaped martingale, plain brass without border, small size, solder filled.
The martingale was used to adorn the breast strap on a harness rig.  This plain pattern could have been issued by the military in the pre-Civil War period, or could have been private purchase or civilian use.  Heart shaped martingale is convex and heavy lead filled, brass attachment hooks.  Device is relatively small.
Ref:  Crouch Horse Equipment, pg. 121.

M1036     Horse harness breast plate, heart shaped martingale, plain brass without border, small size, solder filled. The martingale was used to adorn the breast strap on a harness rig.  This plain pattern could have been issued by the military in the pre-Civil War period, or could have been private purchase or civilian use.  Heart shaped martingale is convex and heavy lead filled, brass attachment hooks.  Device is relatively small.  Heat shaped device measures 45mm x45mm approx.  Dug plate, hooks remain.  Recovered: Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virgina), by Brian Irving. Ref:  Crouch Horse Equipment, pg. 121. Old Court House Civil War Museum collection.

Horse harness breast plate, heart shaped martingale, plain brass with border, large size, solder filled.
The martingale was used to adorn the breast strap on a harness rig.  This plain pattern with a border was issued by the military in the pre-Civil War "dragoon" period.  Heart shaped martingale is convex and lead filled, brass attachment hooks.  Device is relatively large.
Ref:  Crouch Horse Equipment, pg. 121.

MP1902     Horse harness breast plate, heart shaped martingale, plain brass with border, large size, solder filled. The martingale was used to adorn the breast strap on a harness rig.  This plain pattern with a border was issued by the military in the pre-Civil War "dragoon" period.  Heart shaped martingale is convex and lead filled, brass attachment hooks.  Device is relatively large.  Plate measures 75mm x 71mm,  measurement is approx as there is rim damage and bottom point is damaged.  Dug plate with some rim damage, one hook remains.  Recovered: Virginia campaign. Ref:  Crouch Horse Equipment, pg. 121.

Horse harness breast plate, heart shaped martingale, plain brass without border, large size, solder filled.
The martingale was used to adorn the breast strap on a harness rig.  This plain pattern with a border was issued by the military in the pre-Civil War "dragoon" period.  Heart shaped martingale is convex and lead filled, brass attachment hooks.  Device is relatively large.
Ref:  Crouch Horse Equipment, pg. 121.

MP1903     Horse harness breast plate, heart shaped martingale, plain brass without border, large size, solder filled. The martingale was used to adorn the breast strap on a harness rig.  This plain pattern with a border was issued by the military in the pre-Civil War "dragoon" period.  Heart shaped martingale is convex and lead filled, brass attachment hooks.  Device is relatively large.  Plate measures 74mm x 65mm.  Dug plate, the hooks apparently failed as three holes have been punched to secure it in the field, lead back has flaked out, back is filled to reinforce.  Recovered: not known. Ref:  Crouch Horse Equipment, pg. 121.