Offered in this lot is a US Cavalry Civil War, circa 1860-1865, hoof branding iron set. This set consists of nine separate irons with these numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6/9, 7, and 8. During the Civil War, more than 7 million horse and mules were in service. It became necessary to have a system of identification established for each animal, so that records could be maintained. Officers would also sell their horses, so it became custom for the officer to have to bring the horse's foot back to prove that it was incapable of further service. This set of irons has a copper iron and steel handle. The irons measure 19 1/2" long.