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National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum ®
Ernie Marsh
Bit & Spur Maker

Ernie Marsh

Emeritus Member

About the Artist

Artwork
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Artwork by Ernie Marsh

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Snake Spurs – #42

Spurs

$28,000

Sold

With fine silver inlaid stripes, sterling silver buttons, steel engraving and a French grey finish, these spurs feature 22k yellow gold inlaid snakes. The leather spur straps by TCAA emeritus saddlemaker Chuck Stormes are complemented by Marsh’s sterling silver high relief domed conchas, each with steel flanges bearing 22K gold accents and steel engraving. Forged steel buckles are engraved and inlaid with 22k yellow gold wire. Stamped with “E. Marsh #266 2025 TCAA,” these spurs include a forged stand.

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Snake Spurs – #42
Snake Spurs – #42

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Encore 2010

California Style Bit – #43

Bit

$22,000

Sold

This late 19th century California style bit is dominated by sterling silver conchas balanced between panels of 14K green gold inlay. The cheek piece and bottom bar are bordered with sterling silver buttons while the steel in a French grey finish complements the silver with a touch of high relief engraving. Marsh completed this bit with a high port mouthpiece with multiple rollers and stirrup style rein hangers with rein chains. Stamped with “E. Marsh #258, 2010, TCAA.”

Additional Images

California Style Bit – #43
California Style Bit – #43

Ernie Marsh

Lovell, Wyoming

Ernie Marsh has been a professional bit and spur maker for over 30 years. His hardworking background includes ranching, rodeoing and timber felling. He pursued his passion of building bridle bits and spurs with the same serious attitude and desire to learn the skills required. Marsh considers himself fortunate to have had opportunities to gain insight from horsemen and engravers — noted masters of the trade. With his wife, Teresa, Marsh currently resides near Lovell, Wyoming. As a TCAA founding member and a 2016 United States Artists Katie Weitz Fellowship recipient in Traditional Arts, Marsh has influenced the work of many contemporary bit and spur makers.