Civil War U.S. Belt Buckle?

[timwied]

[attachment 347436 Front.jpg][attachment 347437 Back.jpg]Found this US Belt Buckle today. Is this a lead filled Civil War Buckle that most of the lead is gone? On the left side of the buckle in the picture of the back is kinda heavy, like it could be lead? I found it at an old homestead about 6 inches deep. The lady who lives there is the third generation resident. Her grandfather built most of the buildings. She had personally lived there since the 50's. I was trying to not dig much of a hole in her yard and I accidently hit it with my digger. Dang! Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks for looking!

 

[TerryEastTexas]

Sweet! Congratulations on a super find. WTG!

 

[Digger70pa]

It looks like a cartridge box plate buddy. See the iron on it? A plate didn't have that. Great find though. HH

 

[timwied]

Thanks! At first I thought it may be a replica, because it was so thin, and not solid brass. But out in the middle of nowhere? And buried 6 inches deep? Thanks, Digger70pa! That's awesome! I found one on Ebay that looked a lot like mine, I would have not guessed that!

 

[ironman200081]

Awesome find man! Definitely a US cartridge box plate. It looks like the lead filling just sloughed out of the brass over time. That happens some times, or it may have been burned before.

 

[Cajuncoinhunter]

Great find !

 

[timwied]

Thanks guys, it was an exciting moment!!!

 

[calabash digger]

congrats! very nice find.

 

[Cajuncoinhunter]

Yes indeed. Those types of finds will get your heart rate up quickly. LOL. CCH

 

[TH'er]

[attachment 347436 Front.jpg][attachment 347437 Back.jpg]Found this US Belt Buckle today. Is this a lead filled Civil War Buckle that most of the lead is gone? On the left side of the buckle in the picture of the back is kinda heavy, like it could be lead? I found it at an old homestead about 6 inches deep. The lady who lives there is the third generation resident. Her grandfather built most of the buildings. She had personally lived there since the 50's. I was trying to not dig much of a hole in her yard and I accidently hit it with my digger. Dang! Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks for looking!

There are at least three different know examples of US waist belt plates (see photograph) with a double iron wire hook, which this appears to be. The box plates had small loops (or eyes) of single wire, which were always positioned vertically near the ends of the plate.

 

[timwied]

So you think it is a waist belt plate, and not a cartridge box plate?

 

[timwied]

[attachment 347436 Front.jpg][attachment 347437 Back.jpg]Found this US Belt Buckle today. Is this a lead filled Civil War Buckle that most of the lead is gone? On the left side of the buckle in the picture of the back is kinda heavy, like it could be lead? I found it at an old homestead about 6 inches deep. The lady who lives there is the third generation resident. Her grandfather built most of the buildings. She had personally lived there since the 50's. I was trying to not dig much of a hole in her yard and I accidently hit it with my digger. Dang! Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks for looking!

There are at least three different know examples of US waist belt plates (see photograph) with a double iron wire hook, which this appears to be. The box plates had small loops (or eyes) of single wire, which were always positioned vertically near the ends of the plate.

Thanks Th'er!!! That's awesome! I found more pictures that verify what you said, both box plates and belt plates!!!