Banister's Centennial Buckle Pat March 15 '64

[Iron Buzz]

Got home tonight and started to research one of my finds, only to find an old thread on here about the same buckle. Seems DeerHavenDigger found the same buckle in August, 2016 (thread)



From a website linked to on DeerHavenDigger's thread:

Measuring approximately 2 X 2.25 inches, this double buckle is die struck from sheet iron with remnants of original nickel plating and bold Patent markings BANISTERS CENTENNIAL Pat. Mar. 15, 64 . Attendees of the annual Mansfield, Ohio Civil War Show will find the image of this buckle familiar as they remember Dennis Keesee’s award winning display of Civil War drummer boy equipage. If not Keesee’s book on the subject, Too Young To Die offers an illustration of the Banister buckle laid in with the personal effects of 43rd Ohio drummer David Auld. Keesee identifies the buckle as the Ohio Drummer boy’s drum sling buckle. Our own research produced information on more than one buckle patent by Isaac Banister. With the exception of Keesee’s 43rd Ohio buckle we have never encountered another example of the Banister type in any size. A rare example!

I don't mind saying that I'm pretty pleased right now.

 

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[Inspector]

AWESOME!!!, congratulations on the save

 

[Iron Buzz]

Thanks! To be honest, it didn't really strike me as awesome when I first dug it. I'm accustomed to having old artifacts made of copper, brass, or bronze, and actually looking old when they come out of the ground. Here was this shiny nickel plated steel buckle. I'm glad I took the time to notice the writing, and especially the patent date or it might have gone into the junk bag!

 

[CC Hunter]

Current research reveals that the Banister’s Centennial buckle, a design patent by Isaac Banister of the Banister Shoe Company, Newark, New Jersey, likely dates a decade or more after the Civil War. These die stamped brass buckles, are nickel plated, with nickel plating being entirely post-CW for commercial production. Surviving non-dug examples of the Banister’s Centennial buckles are noted in matching pairs, originally from shoes. The “Centennial” name is likely associated with the Great Centennial of 1876. Banister was an exhibitor of shoes at the Great Exposition in Philadelphia of 1876. The true provenance of any use as military drum sling buckles is rather dubious at best. Quite possibly someone placed one of the Banister’s Centennial shoe buckles on a Civil War period drum sling at some later time. The original patent information and company history for Banister Shoes is far more reliable provenance.

 

[Hunk-a-lead]

Got home tonight and started to research one of my finds, only to find an old thread on here about the same buckle. Seems DeerHavenDigger found the same buckle in August, 2016 (thread)

View attachment 1716038

From a website linked to on DeerHavenDigger's thread:



I don't mind saying that I'm pretty pleased right now.

very cool!!

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Congrats on a GREAT find !