56 3/4 in. (fully extended length) watering bit and original leather reins (wear commensurate with age and use, including some leather cracking and bits of loss). Reins stitched to rings. 

Designed by Major Sam Ringgold and adopted by the United States Army in 1844, this pattern bit saw use during the Mexican War, Civil War, and Indian Wars. Never altered or modified until its replacement, the Model 1885 watering bit, was adopted in 1891.
Appropriate to display on the cantle pack of every US army saddle from the Model 1841 Ringgold saddle through the 1885 McClellan saddle.