If you are considering buying a pair of Cowboy Spurs online or from any auction there are some tips and bits of information that will help you ensure that you are buying what the seller says it is! Although boot spurs are hard to fake, it is possible and not unknown for this to happen.
Make sure that you are aware of the history of the item you are buying and also try to make sure that the person selling the spurs is someone who seems reputable and trustworthy. Many online auction sites like eBay will offer a feedback rating on the seller which will give you a guide to their reputation in the online auction community. Do your research on the person first if possible.
The design of the spur will also help you determine if they are valuable too. Each maker had a different style and way of making spurs and not every pair is the same. Different heel bands or button styles are common as are larger or more flamboyant rowels. You can often tell who made the spurs just by looking - but this may come with experience.
Many of the pairs of Cowboy Spurs come with the markings of the person who made them such as the North and Judd anchor mark. If the seller is saying that the spurs were made by the Crockett Spur company, then you should expect to see the relevant markings on the spurs. There are many sets of spurs that are not marked - so make sure you ask for a photo of any markings first or examine them yourself if possible.
The age of the cowboy spurs will also allow you to make a good judgement of their validity. Older spurs were made from iron and then half or full mounted with silver designs and flash. A pair of spurs today would be made from more modern materials such as aluminum. How the spur looks will also give you an insight into the age of the pair.
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