Buckles

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CS Buckles

1. This is one of the rarest and most sought after of all the "CS" marked Confederate waist belt plates.  It's an excavated "Sardine Can Style" CS die stamped brass Confederate waist belt plate.  This one was recovered by one of my old relic digging buddies in 1974 at Iuka, Mississippi.  It has a nice, smooth  chocolate brown patina and the plate is solid as a rock.  The reverse shows the three solder spots where the strip brass hooks were at one time located.  {The hooks were no-doubt in the same hole - just the solder had turned loose - but he didn't realize and didn't know to look for them.}  This is a very nice example of a plate that you often see for $8,000. and up.  How's this for a steal on a super rare Confederate plate.--$4,500.
2. Excavated plain face "clip cornered" waist belt plate recovered from a Confederate camp at Nashville, TN.  The cool thing is that this plate was hand fabricated from a larger brass object and you can still clearly see some of the fancy motif of the "larger object" that the plate was made from.  No hooks are on the reverse but solder marks can be seen where the hooks once were.  The plate has a beautiful brown/green woods patina.--$150.SOLD
3. Pair of excavated "plain face" Confederate plates recovered at Shiloh in the early 1970s.  The oval has a pea green patina and the rectangle is a chocolate brown.  No hooks are present on the reverse - just solder marks.  Try to beat this buy.--$250. for BOTH. SOLD
4. Super, super rare "Double Stamped" Breckenridge style C.S. oval waist belt plate on original black leather waist belt.  This belt rig originally came out of a Chattanooga, TN. estate and for several years was on display in the Chattanooga Civil War Museum located at the base of Lookout Mountain.  The buckle is in beautiful condition with the nicest rich, aged patina that you could ever hope to see.  During the Civil War era the front strip brass hook apparently came off and was replaced with a sturdy double loop iron front hook.  Even the most advanced Civil War collection would be proud to own this piece.--SOLD
5. This is one of the coolest rectangular "C.S.A." waist belt plates that I have ever had to offer and I truly regret that Bill Gavin will not get to see and appreciate it.  I would have certainly gotten a call from him to talk about this one.  The buckle is the Tennessee pattern and absolutely perfect with choice patina and original body curve.  This plate was recovered {actually seen} approximately 40 years ago by Dean A. Hudson from the creek directly behind the Dunlap, TN. courthouse {which was one of Confederate General Braxton Bragg's camps on the way to the Battle of Perryville, KY.  Here's the super cool part.  The original leather belt was still intact on the back of the belt plate and over the last 150 years has literally petrified with calcium and turned to stone.  You can still see buckle hooked into the belt and several folds of the belt.  This can only be described as an absolutely incredible artifact.--$2,850.SOLD
6. Cast iron Confederate general service frame buckle and sling tip found with the buckle.  This was recovered from an 1863 Confederate Cavalry camp here.  This style buckle is pictured in "Confederate General Service Buckles" by Dr. Lon Keim.--$95.
7. Really pretty and super rare "Tall loop" Leech and Rigdon 2-Piece "C.S." sword belt plate.  When recovered this plate had the belt loops on both sides broken which is no doubt why the plate was discarded.  The belt loops have been expertly restored, are strong, and look absolutely perfect. This plate would make a fine, fine center piece in any excavated Confederate collection.  This is a buckle that in perfect excavated condition has been known to sell for $3,500. to $3,800.  Here is a real bargain on a heck of a rare and beautiful Confederate buckle.--$1,850.
8. Excavated small size bevel edge "Cavalry" GA. Frame Confederate waist belt plate.  It was recovered from near Winchester, VA. and shows actual stress from the belt.--$425.
9. 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.--$2,650.
10. 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".--$425.
11. 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.SOLD
12. 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. Excavated large size "U.S." oval cartridge boxplate recovered here at Stones River about 15 years ago.  The face has a smooth chocolate brown patina and the reverse has full lead.  The wire loops are rusted off just leaving stubs.  It's a very sound plate with exceptionally nice eye appeal.--$150.
2. Excavated large size "Puppy Paw" hook style lead filled U.S. oval waist belt plate.  This one was recovered years ago from a cotton field here at Stones River and has a little piece of the plate cut off - no doubt from a disc or plow during cultivation back over the years.  Because of the little missing piece - not $325. But--$125.
3. Excavated lead filled large size U.S. oval cartridge boxplate that has been positively struck hard by "something" and a 44 cal. pistol ball exactly fits the strike.  This was recovered near Perryville, KY. and will make a fantastic display item and conversation piece.--$250.SOLD
4. Beautiful condition non-excavated cast brass  Massachusetts state seal sword belt plate.  These date from the 1860s Civil War era through the 1880s period.  This example is a beauty.--$695.
5. Really neat early battlefield pick-up large size "Puppy Paw Hook" U.S. oval waist belt plate.  The reverse has writing cut in all over it but I can't make out what it says.  Definitely a fun mystery for someone to unravel.--$275.SOLD
6. Non-excavated lead filled large size "U.S." oval cartridge boxplate.  Nice bronze aged patina on the face and full lead and both loops intact on the reverse.  The loops are approx. 2 1/2 inches apart.  If you have a cartridge box needing a nice boxplate - here it is.--$250.
7. Excavated circular eagle breastplate recovered at Wartrace, TN.  Smooth chocolate patina on the face with crisp, sharp detail - The wire loops are rusted off the reverse.--$135.
8. This is about the prettiest excavated large size U.S. oval cartridge boxplate that you could dream of finding.  It was recovered many years ago by one of my old relic hunting buddies at The Battle of Chickamauga, GA.  The face has never even been rinsed off.--$225.SOLD
9. Non-excavated "Officer's pattern" Model 1851 cast brass eagle sword belt plate.  This is the pattern sword belt plate with integrally cast wreaths and it has great detail and a beautiful rich, never cleaned patina.  There is a tiny hairline stress crack on one belt loop corner but no big deal - difficult to even find.--$250.
10. Early "block letter" pattern non-excavated large size lead filled "U.S." oval cartridge boxplate.  Just a perfect example of this rare early plate with a nice aged patina, both loops, full lead,  and ready to go on your cartridge box.  The loops are 2 1/4th inches apart.--$250.
11. Beautiful face and both wire loops intact on this excavated lead filled large oval "U.S." cartridge boxplate.  It was recovered many, many years ago from the Battle of Chickamauga, GA.--$195.
12. Very attractive large size lead filled "U.S." oval cartridge boxplate recovered several years ago at Chickamauga, GA.  The wire loops are rusted off on the reverse but on the positive side the soldier's initials "T. F." are nicely carved into the lead.--$150. 
13. Large size "U.S." oval waist belt plate on the original maker marked black leather waist belt.  The belt has the brass keeper intact and is marked "Wilkinson Maker - U. S. - Springfield, Mass." - but the belt does have an old repaired break on the back side.  Still a very nice U. S. belt rig.--$450.
14. Excavated circular lead filled federal eagle breastplate just dug from a hospital site here at Stones River.  The face has a brown-green patina with a couple small spots of rust.  The reverse has full lead and one of the two iron loops remaining intact.  This is a real decent example for coming out of the ground now.--$125.
15. Beautiful condition non-excavated large size "U.S." oval "arrow hook pattern" federal waist belt plate.  It has a nice face with a rich, aged patina and full lead with all three hooks intact on the reverse.--$275.
16. Excavated Federal carbine sling buckle with matching belt tip recovered by Hank Hugley from a Federal cavalry camp located near Pulaski, TN.  This was the camp that the troopers were out of that captured Sam Davis - the young Confederate spy that was eventually hanged because he refused to betray his informers.--$125.
17. Non-excavated early letter style large size "U.S." oval cartridge boxplate.  Beautiful rich patina on the face and full lead and both wire loops intact on the reverse.  The loops are 2 1/4th inches apart and will complete your nice box needing a plate.--$250.
18. Beautiful condition excavated large size "U.S." oval cartridge boxplate.  This one was recovered many years ago at Shiloh and has a nice brown-green patina on the face and full lead and both wire loops intact on the reverse.  You couldn't hope to dig a nicer plate than this one.--$225.
19. Excellent condition excavated large size lead filled "U.S." oval cartridge boxplate.  This one was recovered from here at Stones River many years ago.  You couldn't ask to recover a prettier U.S. cartridge boxplate.--$225.SOLD
20. Excavated large size "U.S." oval waist belt plate recovered at Shiloh about 30 years ago.  It has a beautiful face with a choice uncleaned brown-green patina.  The reverse has full lead and 2 out of the 3 attachment hooks are intact.  The front hook broke which is no doubt why the plate was discarded.  This plate would look great in any display.--$195.
21. Excavated large size "U.S." oval cartridge boxplate with an old "Gettysburg" tag.  You can tell from the excellent condition of this plate that it was recovered in the 1950s or 1960s.  The two loops on the back have been intentionally snipped off presumably to lay flat on an old relic board.--$195.
22. Beautiful condition excavated large oval "U.S." cartridge boxplate recovered many years ago by Ronnie Webb from a Joe Wheeler Confederate cavalry camp here.  Apparently the Confederates were stripping leather to use.   Smooth olive patina on the face, full lead, and both loops intact on the reverse.  A Fine Example.--$225.
23. Excavated large size lead filled "U.S." oval cartridge boxplate recovered at Chickamauga a few years ago.  The face has one little rust bump on the bottom of the "S" but is otherwise an excellent plate with a smooth chocolate brown patina on the face and full lead and both loops on the reverse.--$185.
24. Large size "SNY" lead filled oval waist belt plate recovered from the James River shipwreck {actually where all of this type SNY have been found}.  It isn't a mint example but a very respectable plate and at a bargain price for an SNY.--$375.
25. Very nice condition excavated large size lead filled "U.S." oval waist belt plate.  This buckle was recovered on Sat. - 5 - 18 - 1991 at 9:15 A.M. at Eastport, Mississippi.  How's that for you folks that like to know all about where their artifacts came from.--$250.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. 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.