Vintage 1960's USA Made Original Sanger Sliester Classic #22 Shank #08 Snaffle Bit Bridle This is a great, very old, Vintage Sliester Surgical Steel bit that dates from the 1960's when the Sliester design was originally trademarked, featuring a 3/8 diameter snaffle bit mouthpiece #08. The Sliester design was trademarked in December 1964, so this bit probably dates from the late 1960's. This bit is unusual due to the copper pins holding the mouthpiece in place. The bit is marked on the tie bar instead of the inside shank and this bit bears only "Sliester - Bit" without the location of either Sanger, CA, or Auberry, CA which were added to bits produced in later years. This bit is in very good structural condition, however, the stainless steel has some discoloration and surface pitting, wear, and scratches due to age and use. Sliester Bits are custom made, never mass produced, offering a fine feeling of balance and they are very difficult to find in retail stores. Sliester Bits feature the ?SQUARE PIN.? This keeps the cheek pieces from turning and pinching the horse?s mouth, yet allows all the action required in a loose jawed bit. This bit is from Sliester's "Original Series" and this line is what started the company and has proven over the past 5 decades to be of great design and craftsmanship. All these bits feature the square pin loose jaw, which eliminates the cheeks from turning, yet allowing the action required in a loose jawed bit. This line is the heaviest bit Sliester offers, weighing in at 19.79 ounces which aids in steadying a horse?s head. The 8-1/2 inch long cheek is Style #22 and features a 2-1/2 inch purchase. SLIESTER has been making bits since 1954 and this one is FULLY MARKED: this bit is marked SLIESTER - Bit on the back side of the stainless steel slobber bar. Sliester bits are never mass produced and always a good heavy duty bit that will last you a lifetime lasts and lasts. Track Page Views With Auctiva's FREE Counter