My grandmother gave me these the other day. They belonged to my great great great grandfather. She said he used them on his Mules, her memory isn't the best so i was curious if by looking at them if anyone can tell if that's correct?

What's the best way to preserve them?

They sure are part of a harness. They're called hames. It's part of the collar on a driving or plow harness.

As far as preservation, what do you want to do with them?

I believe what she told you is correct, they are called hames and when coupled together in the rigging they went around the lower neck and it's what the mules pulled against. You can see the hames on the mules in this picture.




ETA, I was looking for a picture when Todd answered the question. I'll leave this here for the value of the photograph.

Thanks for the information, interesting stuff.

As far as preserving them goes, I'd like to mount them on a display board to put in my office.

You can buy food grade mineral oil in your local grocery store pharmacy. It's clear and won't stain the wood. Wipe it down liberally a couple times, but don't soak it.

My dad used to collect these and the black leather collars that go around the horses/mules necks. He would use a linseed oil based furniture restorer liquid that would make them look really nice but still leaving them natural and aged. He would rub it in and let it soak. Would put it on the metal parts as well. They look really cool if you have a mirror cut in an oval and put them around it and hang it on a wall.