A German curb, circa 1600 Extremely sharp bit with a flat, split upper tree, the upper bars of which, round in cross-section, are movably mounted in cylindrical sleeves, which in turn are connected by a split mouthpiece with three narrow rollers at the back and one wide roller at the front. In the middle is a strong, again split reed lever. Two eyelets for the cheek piece of the head bridle on the rear part of the upper beam, in front of each a hole with S-shaped hooks for attaching a chin strap. In front of each of these is a hole in which the ends of a short mouth chain are attached. The sides of the upper beams are profiled and decorated with incisions and notches. In front of them are the S-shaped lower beams, at the ends of which are holes with eyelets that can be rotated through 360 degrees, in which the rein rings, which can thus be moved freely in all directions, are inserted. A hole is drilled in front of each one, into which a chin chain is inserted. Excellent and precisely executed forging, apart from the dark brown iron oxide coating without rust pits in outstanding condition. Length approx. 24 cm. Width approx. 13 cm (without folding out the trees on the sides). Condition: II -