A PIRATES BUCKLE??

[BenjaminE]

A PIRATE'S BUCKLE??

Hello Everyone,

I found this buckle a few days ago, among some rocks, near where a Spanish ship was wrecked, in the early 1700's. I cannot say for certain that this buckle came from the wreck. But, I do know that hurricanes generally deposit objects on, or near, the beach.

Anyway, I have yet to find a single example of this type of buckle, online. It appears to be made from brass. It is of a single piece. The pin/peg that fits into the belt is not hinged, and does not swivel. It appears to be a single piece of metal.

The buckle was originally much darker with some areas of greenish turquoise corrosion. I cleaned it with lemon juice, and baking soda tooth paste. The metal is porous, and glints a gold color in the light. But, I think that it is brass. The buckle measures three inches by four inches, with the interior space being just a hair under two inches wide.

Does anyone have any idea as to where the buckle may have originated from, its history, or whether it is worth anything? As I said, I have yet to find a single example online of a brass buckle that looks like this, or that has this construction. (Maybe I am looking in the wrong places?) Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

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[Daryn]

Nice buckle. Any pics of before you cleaned. You may have lost valuable patina

 

[BenjaminE]

Nice buckle. Any pics of before you cleaned. You may have lost valuable patina

I did not realize that the patina would have value. Lol. I should have asked before cleaning. A good portion of it was really dark brown. And, the encrustations are greenish-turquoise color. What is odd is that I have looked at hundreds of examples of brass buckles. And, I have yet to find a single example of one with this type of construction. So far, every antique brass buckle I have found online has a pin that swivels, that is mounted in the center of the buckle. So, I am having difficulty narrowing this down to anything.

 

[Clay Diggins]

Its a cinch buckle for horse harness tack. It was probably originally used to tie down a pannier or load to a pack saddle.

The prong swivel is missing or it was a stitched leather swivel. Notice how the side without any feature is round? That is where the typical prong swivel that goes through the hole on the leather tack goes or the cinch strap was attached.

Being it's brass it could be anywhere from 30 years old or older. Usually (but not always) the antique ones were round.

 

[BenjaminE]

Its a cinch buckle for horse harness tack. It was probably originally used to tie down a pannier or load to a pack saddle.

The prong swivel is missing or it was a stitched leather swivel. Notice how the side without any feature is round? That is where the typical prong swivel that goes through the hole on the leather tack goes or the cinch strap was attached.

Being it's brass it could be anywhere from 30 years old or older. Usually (but not always) the antique ones were round.

Thanks for the explanation, Clay Diggins. I kept imagining a really large stomach. So, a beast of burden stomach is even more fitting.

Also, I know that burros were used to carry stuff along the beach, during the 19th century. But, since it was in the water, in some rocks, I am wondering whether it came from the shipwreck. If so, it would date to the early 1700's or earlier.

 

[NEPADIGGER7]

i think clay diggs nailed it! great find though!

 

[Honest Samuel]

Great fine, great pictures. Keep searching, and you may find a fortune of coins. Good luck.