"B B" Belt Buckle, with Shield, Bible, Helmet, & Sword

[Iron Buzz]

A friend found this yesterday and asked me to post it to see if anyone can ID it. His best guess is Boy's Brigade, but they seem to have an anchor logo, not at all like this. I've tried to find something, but haven't had any luck so far.

 

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[DCMatt]

Sort of like Knights of Pythias.

 

[Iron Buzz]

Very much like that. I'll try to follow that lead up. Thanks, Matt.

 

[Reanm8er]

Great work Matt!

I had the glorious experience of aiding some family friends evaluate the estate of an old maid they had been taking care of for years. This elder lady had been the sole survivor of a family that made history in so many ways. Her father was a West Point Cadet with Ike and corresponded with him until his death. The father was a military cryptographer who had helped the US break some of the Japanese codes in WWII. Her mom was a significant person by right of her family because her dad had been Governor of Ohio, post civil war. Her mother had once had to make a journey alone by train from New York to somewhere down south. She was only 13 or 14 yrs old and despite her moxie was a little intimidated at the prospects of the trip. I was asked about a talisman she was presented to protect her on her journey. It was a small amulet about an inch long that was obviously hand made by a jeweler, from 2 different pins. The inside was a Skull and Bones pin from Yale. It was mounted on a Knights of Pythias pin that was larger. She was told that if anyone hassled her on her trip to show them the pin and warn them of their bad prospects.

The knights of Pythias were dedicated to binding up the wounds from the civil war. Apparently their was a clandestine wing that was prepared to use force.

Cool find Iron Buzz!

 

[Iron Buzz]

Great work Matt!

I had the glorious experience of aiding some family friends evaluate the estate of an old maid they had been taking care of for years. This elder lady had been the sole survivor of a family that made history in so many ways. Her father was a West Point Cadet with Ike and corresponded with him until his death. The father was a military cryptographer who had helped the US break some of the Japanese codes in WWII. Her mom was a significant person by right of her family because her dad had been Governor of Ohio, post civil war. Her mother had once had to make a journey alone by train from New York to somewhere down south. She was only 13 or 14 yrs old and despite her moxie was a little intimidated at the prospects of the trip. I was asked about a talisman she was presented to protect her on her journey. It was a small amulet about an inch long that was obviously hand made by a jeweler, from 2 different pins. The inside was a Skull and Bones pin from Yale. It was mounted on a Knights of Pythias pin that was larger. She was told that if anyone hassled her on her trip to show them the pin and warn them of their bad prospects.

The knights of Pythias were dedicated to binding up the wounds from the civil war. Apparently their was a clandestine wing that was prepared to use force.

Cool find Iron Buzz!

So, it sounds like you believe that is an actual KoP buckle, then? I concede that there are an awful lot of similarities, but a lot of differences as well. I tried to find if there were any offshoots of KoP but so far haven't found anything that would fit this. Why the two "B"s? Why doesn't it actually say "Knights of Pythias" of "K P"? All of the elements of the K of P "logo" are there... the helmet, the sword, the bible, but in a different arrangement. I'm saying, very very close, but no cigar.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Looks to be a fantasy buckle to me.
The missing corresponding attachment would often have patent info on it.
You didn't give us the dimensions, but I'm thinking it's a kids buckle from the 1930s - 40s.

Dave

 

[Reanm8er]

I'd say a ceremonial sash buckle, perhaps for a lady or child. Dave's got it right about the patent and sometimes the individual who commissioned the work. The artifact I saw looked like two lapel pins put together and they were both gold. I'm pretty sure it just said KP on it and I don't know why, but I just said out of the blue "Oh Knights of Pythias!" I didn't even know who the KoP was, so it must have come from the pin!

 

[Muddyhandz]

I've found a buckle similar that has B B on it which stands for "Boys Brigade."
Not saying that's what this is but it's possible.
Nice find!

 

[Iron Buzz]

I've found a buckle similar that has B B on it which stands for "Boys Brigade."
Not saying that's what this is but it's possible.
Nice find!

Any chance you could post a picture of your buckle here? Even if it isn't very similar, I think we'd all love to see it.

 

[Muddyhandz]

Might take some time as my buckle collection is put away but going from memory, I found two tongue and wreath style "B B" with anchors and one that has crossed swords and a bible that is more of a square type buckle like yours.
A quick search on the Net came up with a lot of the anchor types but I did see the same bible symbol associated with "Boys Brigade" pins.
I'm out the door and don't have much time this weekend but thought I would at least state the possibility.

 

[Iron Buzz]

Might take some time as my buckle collection is put away...

...I'm out the door and don't have much time this weekend but thought I would at least state the possibility.

That's OK. We can wait. We're a patient bunch here, aren't we, boys?