Belt buckle???

[Diggincoinz]

Hmmm, new at this, especially identifying the old stuff. All I can think of is a belt buckle. Anyone got any other ideas? Came from the side yard of a 1854 village home.

 

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[buudman]

DONT KNOW BUT SURE IS NEAT. BUD

 

[lonewolfe]

looks like 1/2 of a 2 piece buckle to me,

cool find,

hh

lonewolfe

 

[lets_go]

Bottle opener?

 

[diggummup]

looks like 1/2 of a 2 piece buckle to me,

cool find,

hh

lonewolfe

I think you might be right.I was reading this months Lost Treasure mag. and saw a similar one that 2 guys found.One guy found the 1st. piece and the other guy found the 2nd.piece about 30 feet from the 1st.Thiers was a 1830-1840's Militia officers buckle.Yours looks a little different though ,where the belt attaches to the buckle.Yours looks more like a piece of leather goes through the end like a strap. Cool find whatever it turns out to be.

 

[Diggincoinz]

Thanks guys, looks like a buckle to me, cool to think that it might be from the mid-1800's. I don't even know how to resaerch this thing. I'll probably just "bag it" in put it in storage with me quick growing collection of stuff.
Thanks again!
Chris

 

[diggummup]

? Thanks guys, looks like a buckle to me, cool to think that it might be from the mid-1800's. I don't even know how to resaerch this thing. Books my friend books ,that's how you research it.If nothing else go to your local book store or library and see if they have any books on militaria collectibles from the 19 century.It doesn't cost anything to browse the bookstore and do a little reading.BTW-I would venture to say that it is from the 1800's whatever it is,buckle or harness strap or whatever.Nice find-Good Luck and H.H. PS-you could also do a google search on identifying militaria collectibles "books" to see what books are available on the suject.

 

[peterh]

could be a decorative piece from a set of horses harness. Is it brass?

 

[Diggincoinz]

It doesn't appear tp be brass. I haven't tried cleaning it any.

 

[David@Dixie]

What you have is a Martingale Plate. It is a decorative adornment, worn on the Martingale. You'll see them on occasion in mid 1800s pictures. I have an exact copy of yours and evidence points to it being used by civilians, not military (dang). The Martingale Plate would be worn on the Horses chest. Military examples are usually in a heart shape; plain, US, Eagle or the rare MLD (Missouri Light Dragoons). They are made of brass, but do not clean other than a soft tooth brush and water. Over cleaning is generally a no-no in the relic collecting world. Nice find, David@Dixie