Buckles

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CS Buckles

1. Very attractive excavated "thick" cast brass Atlanta style "C.S.A." rectangular waist belt plate.  This plate was recovered from an 1863 Alabama cavalry camp located near Middleton, TN.  It was bent when recovered and has been straightened back to it's original configuration and looks really pretty.  It has a brown - green woods patina and all three attachment hooks intact.  Anyone would be proud to have this jewel in their collection.--$2,850.
2. WOW- New important information on this plate.  I just hung up the telephone from talking with one of the living pioneers and legends in our collecting hobby - Mr. Bill Gavin.  And guess what - This buckle was originally purchased in Nov. 1953 by Mr. Gavin at Vicksburg, Miss. and was in his collection for many years before it became part of Steve Mullinax's collection.  Mr. Gavin has graciously agreed to write a letter of history to also include with this fine Confederate plate.  Mr. Gavin has been a lifelong friend and is truly one of our hobby's founding fathers.  UPDATE -- Mr. Gavin was just here visiting and there is now not only a letter from Mr. Gavin with the plate but also a picture of him holding the buckle !! ----- Super, super rare non-excavated Confederate "Rope Border" C.S. oval waist belt plate.  This plate was brought home as a souvenir and attached to an old relic board as evidenced by the small hole where the plate was attached to the relic board.  The Confederate soldier who wore this buckle apparently grew tired of the regulation issue flimsy soldered on strip brass hooks continually popping off and made a field alteration.  He leaded a set of strong "Puppy Paw" hooks into the back of this Confederate "Rope Border" C.S. oval.  We commonly recover Confederate plates that the individual soldiers made alterations to be able to continue using {because in the Confederate Army it wasn't an easy thing to break this one and just go get a new one}.  This plate was at one time a part of Steve Mullinax's personal collection and comes with a letter from Steve and I will add a letter as well.  This is a fine Confederate waist belt plate and would be a super addition to any Confederate display.--$3,650.
3. Really pretty excavated thinner "Tennessee Style" cast brass rectangular "C.S.A." waist belt plate.  The plate is a recent find and is completely uncleaned with a beautiful green-brown woods patina.  All three hooks are intact on the reverse with 2 shorter ones and one long one.  The different length hooks are due to air bubbles in the mold.  This little jewel would look great in any collection.--$2,650.
4. Absolutely drop dead beautiful condition non-excavated 4-piece cast brass "Mississippi Rifleman's" buckle on a section of the original belt.  This is the style buckle that was issued with the Model 1841 "Mississippi Rifle".  In 35 years I've only had a handful of these to offer loose off the belt.  What a nice compliment this would be displayed with your "Mississippi Rifle".--$450.
5. SUPER RARE excavated tongue half of a "left - handed" Haiman style Confederate officer's 2-piece C.S. sword belt plate.  This buckle carries a rarity "8" and complete sells for $6,500. to $8,000.  The plate was recovered in North Georgia and had a broken belt loop when found.  The break has been professionally restored and literally cannot be found  - which was of course why the plate was discarded.  The correct wreath pattern is one that is occasionally recovered especially in Georgia {Haiman was located in Columbus, GA.}  and when completed - talk about having one rare, rare Confederate plate at a fraction of what it would cost.--$1,250.
6. Beautiful non-excavated thinner "Tennessee Style" cast brass "C.S.A." rectangular waist belt plate on an original war date Southern leather waist belt.  The buckle itself is a family hand-me-down and couldn't be nicer.  It has original body curve and all three attachment hooks intact.  I have had the Southern waist belt stuck away for years waiting for a nice plate worthy to put with it.  It finally came along and the two go together perfectly.  It isn't unusual to see Southern plates on belt to bring HUGE prices.  This is a great value at simply the price of the plate and the price of the Southern belt.  Not $6,500. or $5,500 or $4500. but real value for the dollar priced at.--$4,250.
7. Excavated 1/2 of a rare 1810 era Militia eagle sword belt plate.  This was dug from an 1863 Confederate Infantry camp near Shelbyville, TN.  I've only seen a total of half a dozen of these recovered in 35 years.  A nice complete one runs $1,000.  Half of one only--$95.
8. Non-excavated stamped brass clipped corner plain face militia buckle.  This type buckle was used by various State Guard and Militia units from the 1840 era through the Civil War and into the 1870s.This one is in very nice condition.--$125.

 

US Buckles

1. Quite rare early 1850s era "Puppy Paw" hook style large size U.S. oval waist belt plate on original black leather waist belt.  The belt is strong without any breaks or weak spots.  The buckle is very nice as well with full lead and all three hooks intact.--$475.
2. Flawless condition eagle breastplate recovered at Kennewsaw Mtn., GA.  Smooth perfect face with full lead and both loops on the reverse.  The plate has been professionally framed with acid free matting and filtering glass.  You couldn't hope for a nicer one.--$225.
3. Perfect condition unissued large size lead filled "U.S." oval waist belt plate.  This is the arrow hook variety and all three hooks remain intact.  This is the classic belt plate of the American Civil War.--$250.
4. Excavated carbine sling buckle and tip recently recovered from an 1863 Georgia troops winter camp by one of my relic digging buddies - Dwayne Davis.  This camp is located near Fairfield, TN.  The plate displays nicely but does have a small crack across the outside frame which is probably why it was discarded.  A nice relic that hasn't been out of the ground very long.--$125.
5. Excavated "Puppy Paw" hook style large "U.S." oval waist belt plate recovered by my old digging buddy - Pete Cryer-.  The buckle was found here at Stones River back in the mid 1980s.--$275.
6. Absolutely beautiful condition excavated large size "U.S." oval cartridge boxplate recovered about 40 years ago from Chickamauga, GA.  The face has a smooth chocolate brown patina and the reverse has full lead and both loops intact.  They don't get nicer.--$250.
7. Excavated large size U.S. oval cartridge boxplate recovered years ago at Chickamauga, GA.  It has a chocolate brown face with small scuffs from actual field use.  The reverse has full lead and both wire loops still intact.--$185.
8. Excavated large oval lead filled "U.S." cartridge boxplate recovered several years ago here at Stones River by my old hunting buddy - Pete Cryer.  The lead was flaking out of the back around one end when found and has been supported and stabilized.  The wire loops are rusted away.  Still a nice relic with a pleasing look.--$95.
9. Absolutely perfect condition non-excavated Model 1851 Officer's pattern - integrally cast wreaths - solid cast brass eagle sword belt plate.  You couldn't ask for a nicer one.--$295.SOLD
10. Excavated circular eagle breastplate recovered a number of years ago by my old hunting buddie - Pete Cryer, here at Stones River.  The face has a nice brown-green patina and the reverse has full smooth lead.  The wire loops are rusted away.  This is an attractive example of the federal eagle breastplate.--$125.
11. Beautiful condition excavated large size "U.S." oval waist belt plate recovered many years ago from near Fredericksburg, VA.  The face has a smooth chocolate brown patina and the reverse has full lead and all three brass hooks intact.--$275.
12. Large oval arrow hook style "U.S." oval waist belt plate recovered here at Stones River by my old relic hunting buddie - Pete Cryer.  The plate has a nice brown patina on the face with a few little age cracks around the edge.  The reverse is lead filled and all three hooks are intact.  The lead in the reverse was flaking and Pete clear coated it to stabilize it.  Not the most mint example that you ever saw but still a nice honest "U.S." oval waist belt plate from the Battle of Stones River.--$135.SOLD
13. Nice condition non-excavated large size "U.S." oval cartridge boxplate.  The wire loops are 2 1/2 inches apart and would be perfect to complete someone's 58 cal. leather cartridge box needing a plate.--$250.SOLD
14. Excavated "U.S." cartridge boxplate in two halves.  Interestingly, the two halves were found near each other but actually appear to me to be from two different plates.  I can make out a partial "Boyd and Sons - Boston" maker's mark on one of the pieces.  At any rate - A very interesting conversation piece that displays well.--$65.SOLD
15. Beautiful condition excavated circular lead filled Federal eagle breastplate.   This plate was recovered many years ago here at Stones River and has a smooth brown patina on the face with excellent, crisp detail.  The reverse has full lead  - but the wire loops are rusted into.  It would be hard to find one with a nicer face.--$150.
16. Absolutely beautiful mint unissued large size "U.S." oval on original buff leather waist belt.  This rig is literally as perfect as the day it was issued.--$650.
17. Non-excavated large size lead filled "U.S." oval waist belt plate fresh out of an Ohio estate sale.  This isn't a surplus unused plate but one that has all the clear little dings and marks of actual field use.  If you have always wanted to own a genuine belt plate from the Civil War - here is one that could tell you some War stories.--$275.
18. Really pretty non-excavated circular eagle breastplate out of an old GAR Hall exhibit.  The plate has a nice rich aged bronze patina with full lead and both loops intact on the reverse.  The two old square nails that held the plate to the relic board are still intact as well.  A neat old relic.--$195.