File:Iron Age bridle bit (FindID 19315).jpg

English: Incomplete three-link (also called 'double-jointed') bit, made of copper alloy and iron, in a very corroded and worn condition. The central element and one of the outer links survive, along with a small fragment of the other outer link. The complete outer link is 74 mm long, consists of an outer iron boss, then a transversely set loop which would have held a separate rein ring, then a double 'baluster' moulding, and lastly a ring which is linked to the central element.

The iron boss survives surprisingly well. It is made from a washer 11 mm thick and 22 mm in diameter, with rounded edges, attached to a rod 9 mm in diameter. The transverse loop is cylindrical with a large moulding around the middle of the circumference. Despite the wear, traces of longitudinal ribbing can be seen on the moulding. The internal diameter is 11 mm. The double 'baluster' consists of two large rounded mouldings separated by a waisted moulding. The inner ring springs from the innermost rounded moulding, and is rounded in section; it is extremely worn at the innermost internal edge where it articulates with the central element.

Moving on to the central element, this is 65.5 mm long and symmetrical with a ring at either end - both heavily worn on their outer internal edges - separated by a triple 'baluster' moulding consisting of three rounded parts separated by two waisted parts. The third link is represented only by the ring which is again similarly worn, and is broken off at its junction with what was presumably another double 'baluster'. This break is extremely fresh and it seems likely that the rest of the third link remains somewhere in the field.

The bit has lost all of its surface but it was clearly a very fine piece.

Total length 144 mm, probable original length c. 200 mm, length between rein-rings (so width of horse's mouth) 130 mm.

J. D. Hill of the British Museum has seen the bit, and comments: "This is a particularly finely made horse bit. Few Iron Age horse bits have such attention paid to carefully adorning the links with 'balusters' to give each link a segmented appearance. Most three-link bits have a single 'baluster' or a swelling on the middle of the central link only. The surviving outer link has a terminal bulb projecting from the end of the link. It is not clear without careful conservation and scientific analysis how this terminal was made. It appears to have been made partly of iron, but with a bronze core, but I cannot say for sure. A small number of Iron Age horse bits have a terminal projecting from one side, giving the horse bit an asymmetrical appearance. However I can so far find no other examples which exactly parallel the terminal on this horse bit. These three-link bits required considerable skill to make. We have evidence for how they were made from an Iron Age settlement at Gussage All Saints in Dorset. At this site the clay moulds used to make bits were found in fragments. The central link would be cast first; the two outer links were then cast on to the central link. This horse bit was certainly used. There is clear evidence of wear on the link heads, the rings joining the links of the mouthpiece. This wear is caused by the links rubbing together in the horse's mouth causing the metal of the link heads to be worn away. This wear pattern confirms that this bit was not made for riding, but as part of a pair of horse bits made for ponies which pulled a chariot or wagon. The wear is not the same on both sets of link heads. The surviving outer link with the projecting iron ring was probably the part of the bit that went on the outer side of the pony. The wear between the link heads joining this side link with the central link appears to be greater than that on the other link heads. This is a pattern seen on other Iron Age horse bits. This asymmetrical pattern is caused because more pressure would have been applied to the outside rein of a pony when the chariot or cart driver wished to change direction. This is an unusual but very interesting find."

Dr Hill has also commented that, despite its condition, this bit would easily merit a place in Ipswich Museum or even in the British Museum.