204

Lot of Horse Bits from the Movies

Currency:USD Category:Western Americana Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Lot of Horse Bits from the Movies
From the estate of the famous TV and movie trainer and wrangler, Kenny Lee. Bits from Lee's own tack collection, used throughout his extensive career in film and television.
1) Very nice loose cheek bit with silver inlay, original chains, half breed mouthpiece and one button missing.
2) Early style bit with slightly curved cheeks, silver inlaid, spade mouthpiece and double slobber chains.
3) Kelly (marked 2 times on mouthpiece) curb bit with large domes and silver overlay.
4) Iron bit with scalloped conchos and silver inlaid stripes, heavy curved mouthpiece.
5) California style "S" shank bit with silver inlay and 2 1/4" conchos on the cheeks. Standard medium port curb.
6) Standard driving bit marked "14" with heavy mouth. Brass plated brazed to the cheeks most likely for use in a Roman or chariot scene.

PROVENANCE: Kenny Lee Estate

Kenny Lee (1925-2012)
Kenny Lee was a legendary Hollywood wrangler, trainer and stuntman who worked on more western films and television series than we could possibly list, including most everything by John Ford. His father was a Yuma rancher who moved the family to California in the 1920s to work in the rapidly expanding movie industry driving stagecoaches, mule teams and wagons. Kenny began working in films at the age of 8 or 9 as a stunt-double, in a wig and skirt, for a little girl trapped in a runaway buckboard. He worked in the industry the rest of his life, on films such as "Little Big Man," "The Rounders," "Rio Grande," "Jeremiah Johnson," "Electric Horseman" and countless 1s. And though he trained mostly horses, mules and cattle, in "Around the World in 80 Days" he also trained monkeys, elephants, ostriches and camels. He kept his own horses and own tack, and traveled the world with livestock in tow. Winner of 2 Patsy Awards, Kenny was extremely well-liked and well-respected, and taught dozens of actors to ride, including Elvis. He wasn't so sure about Sonny and Cher when they showed up for their lessons in a pink convertible, but Barbara (whom he called "Missy") Stanwyck and Joel McCrae were two of his favorites.