Real or fake?

[ukfan99]

Found what I think may be a belt plate several years ago at an 1800’s farmohouse in Granville Oh. I usually just hunt for old coins so I don’t know much about Civil Aar era relics. Here are pics of front and back. Metal is very thin so I don’t know if this is real, repro or even a toy. Any ideas? Thanks

https://s20.postimg.org/eenoq5pn1/3168_CE94-3089-4_F7_E-9_DEC-_BD8489_DC72_BA.png

https://s20.postimg.org/5jmufn8kd/3893_C174-48_C2-4747-8884-_E0_C91468_A906.png

 

[bootyhoundpa]

Im no expert so take it for what its worth, I've not seen any buckles that thin before but i have seen a fair amount of that pressed copper stuff which i believe was popular in the late 1800s. . I cant read what it says above the eagle.. cool lookin find..hopefully someone can shed some light on this..

 

[brianc577]

I would say awesome find, yes real, pre war for militia parades, not meant for the field because of its poor construction. That or for a child. My opinion, but not an expert

 

[ukfan99]

Says E. Pluribus Unum.

 

[brianc577]

http://www.armyoftennesseerelics.com/wp-content/gallery/Sheet-Iron/DSC05363.JPG

M1851 officers "sheet iron" sword plate maybe?

 

[brianc577]

Another link. https://picclick.com/Dug-Us-M-1851-Officers-Belt-Buckle-Rare-Sheet-152879570371.html

 

[ukfan99]

Thanks for the link Brian. After looking at the link I’m now more inclined to think mine is a repro. Not original. Mine is way thinner then a the one in the link.

 

[TerryEastTexas]

I'm no expert but I would say don't give up yet. Age/Years can so some work on metal.

 

[fowlercharles]

Hi ukfan99, I too many years ago found a similar Plate as yours and always wondered what it's story was! I could not really accept it for being anything other than from a toy uniform/belt for a child, though even then it still could have been CW period. Years later after I dug a genuine Eagle Plate was I convinced even more that the earlier plate could certainly not have been made for any kind of regular duty ! Still , it has a story , and looks to be an unusual and rare one, since there seems to be very little to show or explain the flimsy little plate. I still remember how it blew me away when I dug it, but the ?? sure set in real fast 40+ years ago when I dug it. I was a noobie (we all were back then) but realized right off that what I thought I had was not what it was ! Digging the real one years later sure made up for the disappointment of the first one! HH, Charlie