Genuine John Dewsbury Single-Jointed Fulmer in Kangaroo 4 3/4" (70% copper). These serve a multitude of purposes. Used with a keeper, they prevent a horse from turning the bit over in the mouth and also prevent a horse from being able to cross it's jaw. Used with or without keeper, the spoons provide a gentle assist with a direct rein aide for starting young horses. There is a HUGE difference between a Fulmer Snaffle and a Full Cheek Snaffle -- they are 2 very different bits (to your horse), though they might appear similar. Note that a Fulmer provides more leverage than a full spoon snaffle -- this one with 2 1/4" rings, set 3/4" outside of the mouthpiece, provide a considerable increase in the leverage over a normal full spoon snaffle. Although I've noticed recently claims that full cheek bits apply poll pressure, let me qualify that used with a keeper, this bit may apply a mild poll pressure, however, that is NOT it's function; furthermore, any poll pressure applied would be infinitely variable based upon the length and the shape of the spoons and the positioning of the keeper! Notice the lovely pattern on the cheeks -- nobody bothers with that level of detail anymore!
One of the benefits of having a bit made of semi-precious metal is the jewel-like luster (as someone recently reminded me) -- not only do horses like the Kangaroo metal they are made of, and salivate beautifully on them, but they look beautifully elegant as well. This bit came with a life-time guarantee.
This bit is legal for dressage according to BD and FEI 2023 rules.
Offered for sale by the wife of the manufacturer (that would be me), who is dispersing a rather large personal collection. Most bits in my collection are new and have never been in a horses mouth -- collected for many years even before I met (and married) their maker. Those lovely blue boxes take up a lot of space, so I haven't kept them for all the new bits, sorry about that! If you are old enough to have been to John Dewsbury bit lectures at your riding club, you may have held some of these in your hands. Some of them are from those display boards (which were also displayed in the John Dewsbury board room; if you've been on a factory tour, you will have seen them there. Several of them are sales demo models from the hands-on clinics and have been lightly used, and a very few have been used by family members on our personal horses/ponies -- because, yes, we are ALL riders.
Postage for this bit to anywhere in the US would be an additional £30, insured, tracked and signature required. I am willing to fill out the customs declaration, however, buyer is responsible for any customs duties to be paid. Please also note, that delivery time is unpredictable due to customs.
How to identify a counterfeit John Dewsbury bit:
If a bit is stamped on the mouth or on the rings, John Dewsbury, Kangaroo, or JD it is a counterfeit. Genuine John Dewsbury bits were made from 1832-2007 ONLY. However, John Dewsbury bits have not been stamped since the 1960’s as during product testing, we found the process of stamping our mouths and/or bit rings tends to distort them, damaging the integrity of the metal work making them more subject to breakage.
If the label says that the bit was made in China, the bit is a counterfeit. John Dewsbury bits have only EVER been made in England.
If it is a new bit and the label does not state ‘lifetime guarantee’ and ‘made in England’, then it is a counterfeit bit. Although take note, we did find some English-made counterfeits as well!
Check for any dark marks on your bit which cannot be cleared with metal polish -- these are ‘occlusions’. These are weak areas on your bit, caused by problems/faults in the metal/manufacturing process, and make your bit more subject to possible breakage! You will not find such marks on a genuine John Dewsbury bit, but as the formula for Kangaroo metal is a trade secret (like the recipe for Coca-cola), in the counterfeit bits, occlusions are common when they attempt to make them of Kangaroo metal.
ALL John Dewsbury bits are made of Kangaroo metal (or Aluminium Bronze) -- 70% copper. If the labelling says 'up to 70% copper' it is a counterfeit. ONLY John Dewsbury bits are made of Kangaroo metal, as the formula is a trade secret; it was never sold or given to ANYONE.
If the bit is both new and inexpensive, it is unlikely to be a genuine product, copper is a semi-precious material, and is significantly more expensive than stainless steel, which is what most of the counterfeits are actually made of.
Over the past several months, we have had numerous reports of bits breaking – in every case, we’ve found these to be not of our manufacture, so please be careful if you have purchased one of these counterfeits. And in the event of a breakage, please contact the person who sold you the bit! Your bit is a safety critical item, so please, inspect your bit regularly and look for signs of wear and/or deformity, stiffness or extreme looseness in any joints, and cracks or sharpness of any edges or occlusions. If the bit does not feel smooth and pleasant in your hand, it won’t be pleasant in your horse’s mouth, either!