#06 Franco Santa Barbara Spade

This exceptional Franco Santa Barbara spade bit, co-stamped BENNY GUITRON and FRANCO, represents modern craftsmanship rooted deeply in traditional California bridle horse design. Built in 2011 (per maker’s stamp) and never used, this bit is a museum-quality example of the new-old California style that Franco and Benny Guitron helped preserve and evolve.

The cheeks are the classic Santa Barbara pattern, featuring elegant sweeping lines, large round cutouts, and extensive hand-done silver inlay in geometric patterns. The inlay work is extremely crisp, symmetrical, and detailed, reflecting the level of precision associated with Franco’s silver.

The bit features an alligator spoon spade—a tall, domed spade with a spoon-shaped forward surface—paired with copper braces and a multi-finned copper roller. The mouthpiece offers a 4¼-inch port and a hair over 5-inch mouth width, making it proportionally correct for a finished bridle horse.

Despite being built in 2011, this bit intentionally carries the appearance and balance of an antique California spade, with traditional lines, deep brown patina on the steel, and high-relief silver accents. This example is brand new and has never been in a horse’s mouth, making it unusually clean for a fully mounted spade bit.

Pieces that are jointly marked Benny Guitron—a respected horseman and trainer with deep bridle horse roots—and Franco, one of the most recognized bit-and-spur makers in the vaquero tradition, are highly sought after by both collectors and working horsemen.

Key Features

• Maker stamped: BENNY GUITRON + FRANCO (2011)
• Santa Barbara cheeks with extensive silver inlay
• Alligator spoon spade mouthpiece
• Copper braces and copper roller
• 8.5-inch shanks
• 4¼-inch port height
• Mouthpiece width: just over 5 inches
• Fully mounted with domed silver spots, conchos, and engraved slobber bar
• Traditional California bridle horse balance
• Brand new, never used
• Excellent symmetry and smooth action
• From Jim & Dema Paul’s curated collection 

Condition

• Mint / New Condition
• Zero wear on mouthpiece, rollers, or hinges
• Silver inlay crisp and undamaged
• Steel patina is from the maker’s finish, not wear
• No structural issues; no dents or repairs