Base Ball Buckle

[DMN]

Found this buckle today. Cleaned it when I got home. Realized it was a buckle when I found it but couldn't tell much more. I was hopeful it was some kind of military buckle but it's clear it is not! Of course, I can tell you what it is but what I can't tell you is any history of the buckle because I can't find anything on the web. Can someone out there give me a hand? Thanks.

 

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[Bramblefind]

I love it! I wonder if there was another piece to it that went into those holes at home and 2nd base.

If I had that I think I would even consider contacting the Cooperstown museum. That has to be from the early days of baseball. I would also think it was very collectible.

 

[vayank54]

It is old. It could go back to the beginning of baseball as it is made simlar to some mid 1800's civilian buckles I've dug. It could be later though. It does look like something is missing. It might be a good idea to contact Cooperstown.
A cool piece whatever it is

 

[Breezie]

I'm wondering if it is an antique buckle from the Habana Leones baseball club? I'm trying to find a pic of their old logo, but haven't been successful yet. Really cool find, Breezie

 

[DMN]

Thank you for the replies. Yep, Cooperstown was my next attempt. I am reasonably close to it and have friends in Oneonta so it would be a good drive to visit. I'll be checking the web site for any instructions.

It certainly appears this buckle is only a part. Would have liked to find the whole thing. Did check around the area after I made the find and will try again just in case. It was a surface find, if you can believe that; just well disguised under shrubbery.

Not sure if it could be the Habana league buckle. I was actually thinking it may have been for a local team. We've had a few in the area as well as a large number of town leagues. May be the buckle was for one of them, back in the day. It would be fun to think it dates prior to 1900, but maybe not.... If I get a reply from Cooperstown, I'll post it here.

 

[Bramblefind]

That sounds like a good plan I will look forward to your update - I hope it is as good as my uneducated eyes think it could be

I hope you don't mind me posting this but I was searching old newspapers for "base ball belt" and this article came up from New Haven, CT in 1879. I started reading it and it is a hoot

 

[Breezie]

Remember the movie, A League of Their Own? Breezie

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

The fact that the wording is separated ... "Base Ball" as opposed to "Baseball" as we know it today, suggest the "possibility" the buckle is pre-1900. But finding exactly when this wording change occurred is a challenge in itself. I took a quick look into this, and although I'm sure there is some reference to this wording change somewhere, I was unable to find it. But it may be worth someone taking a closer look into. Of course, Copperstown, (also spelled as one word), will surely have the answer.

Good luck.

SBB

 

[fyrffytr1]

You might try giving this guy an e-mail. Hopefully he can help.

http://www.antiqueathlete.com/vintage-baseball-uniforms.shtml

 

[DMN]

Hey Bramble, no worries about posting in this thread! Half the fun of identifying things is the journey gettintg there. Amazing article. If that were written today, it probably would have gotten more press than the game the ladies played. Ahhhhhh, how time changes things!

Thanks again for the reply, Fyr. I will try the address. Saw the ad for that place but I figured I would not be selling it so I am not certain what kind of response I might get. If Cooperstown does not reply back, that will be my next attempt.

SodaBottleBob, that is one good looking Coke bottle in the avatar!

 

[Gator-Flea]

Nice buckle..............

 

[fyrffytr1]

Have you found anything about your buckle?

 

[DMN]

Well, after a long time I finally got this in front of some people in Cooperstown. They are actually interested in it as their contacts have not seen anything like it. They give a large date range of 1860 to 1900. I have always been inclined to believe early 1880s. Either way, very exciting. We shall see. Want to have a direct chat with some of the appraisers. Not concerned about the value as I am about origin and history.

 

[Discrimination Dave]

Wow. Baseball been bery bery good to you.

 

[Silver Searcher]

We get these types of Clasp over here, but usually depicting a Cricket theme, they were very popular during the Victorian/Edwardian period.

SS

 

[DMN]

That's good info, SS, thank you very much. I haven't really received much from the buckle experts so it has been a tough go. Getting a relative time stamp for this buckle's manufacture helps. I've done a lot more research on the area I found it in. I figure this may help the Hall of Fame experts and possibly home in on a team or person.

 

[DigIron2]

think you might have something pretty valuable there?neat find!

 

[DMN]

I finally have the buckle in hand again. I never really cleaned it after I found it so the dirt has obscured much of the detail. I noticed something when using a jewelers loupe. After cleaning the spot with some water and a toothpick I found the makers mark. Unfortunately I cannot find anything about it. I need the help of someone with good experience/knowledge of 19th century hallmarks. Maybe they can point me in the right direction.



Thanks for any insight. I'm sure if I have the code the dating of the buckle and some more history to pass to Cooperstown.

 

[CC Hunter]

The mark on your buckle is a British Registry Mark.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/w...-cricket-buckle-need-help-registry-stamp.html

These stamped rolled brass panel plate belt fastening clasps, bearing sporting themes, gained popularity in the last half of the 19th Century. The vast majority feature a variety of different themes centered around the game of Cricket. This particular example with a "Base Ball" theme, was likely intended for distribution on the American market, at a time when baseball was gaining rapid popularity.

CC Hunter

 

[cw0909]

CC Hunter found it, nice knew id seen it b4, maybe this will help you DMN, as i cant
see your img clear enough to make out the lettering/#s
more info
Dating_English_Registry_Marks