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The Prussian Model 88 bridle was the basic halter which the snaffle/watering bit could be attached. The two small leather loops just alongside the square rings at the bottom on the bridle keep the snaffle/watering bit attached to the bridle. The Army issue curb bits (S-Bit or the older NCO-Bit) could also be attached into this bridle. With the curb bit another leather strap was necessary and was attached to the lower rings of the curb bit. Then this strap ran up the headstall and fastened into the leather flap at its top. All assembled in this way, the Model 1888 Bridle with snaffle and curb bit plus reins became a Bit and Bradoon rig. This bridle type was the standard found issued to enlisted men throughout the Prussian and German Army in all branches of service. It seems that in Bavarian Service the same bridle was refered to as the Halter 1893 but with the snaffle reins buckeled at the end.
Below: The same bridle in Bavarian service with reins for the snaffle/watering bit buckeled together. Like this it is refered to as the Halter 1893.
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Below: The NCO-Bit of the curb bit style and the extra leather strap needed to connect it to the M 88 Bridle. The S-Bit was conected in the same way.
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Below: A good view of the lower section of the M 88 Bridle
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Below: Marks on the M 88 Bridle are "DD" and "1916".
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Below: Marks on the lower strap for the M 88 Bridle are "1" and "E.E. LEHMANN Berlin S.W.48"
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Below: The small leather loops just to the inside of the square metal ring are to hold the chain of the snaffle/watering bit in place.
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Below: The leather folding flap to keep the curb bit leather strap in place is visible at the very top of the headstall.
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Click to see the web page on other German WW1 Era Bridles plus the S and NCO Bit