Buckle from Confederate Winter Camp

[TomB]

This buckle was recovered from a suspected Confiderate winter camp site. The buckle appears to be made of brass and measures 2 3/4" by 1 5/8". There is no marking on the front or rear of the buckle. (what I think is a buckle anyway)
Any help identifying would be appreciated. TomB

 

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[Bridge End Farm]

nice find

 

[Evolution]

It looks like a suspender buckle of some sort. I can picture the suspenders going through those slots and in opposite directions. I found a similar buckle but it was from an older site. I think the one I found is a little smaller. Heres a picture.

 

[Evolution]

Actually now that I look at the picture again I realize the one I found is alot smaller. Maybe my guess is wrong. Nice find though.

 

[stevesno]

I have found two and a half of those at a Civil War Camp in Missouri....I had been told that they were used by the Missouri Militia....but without any markings I dont know that identification to be conclusive....Steve

 

[duggap]

I'll try and post again on this buckle when I get home and lay my hands on my research books. I am pretty sure I have heard that type buckle called a tourniquet buckle. I am also remembering that that description may have been challenged. But I do have it in some of my civil war relic books.

 

[allsmith]

Tom, i have found two of them style buckles from a 1850 farm house were i found a lot of other horse tack items...out of the two i got the one is much thicker and heavier.. cool finds ..i would love to see a picture id...

 

[stevesno]

I'll try and post again on this buckle when I get home and lay my hands on my research books. I am pretty sure I have heard that type buckle called a tourniquet buckle. I am also remembering that that description may have been challenged. But I do have it in some of my civil war relic books.

I am anxious to get an id of this buckle....mine were found at a CW campsight on the old wire road here in Missouri...I have not found any other items that tells me t soldiers on horseback were there....but I would not rule that theory out....Steve

 

[allsmith]

well i have found they call them bedroll buckles... sweet find... hears one i found on ebay... seen a couple others elsewhere too... pretty cool!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Confederate-LOU...yZ103995QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[TomB]

Tom, i have found two of them style buckles from a 1850 farm house were i found a lot of other horse tack items...out of the two i got the one is much thicker and heavier.. cool finds ..i would love to see a picture id...

Smith...The twp buckles in your photo are very similar to the one I found. In fact the top buckle is almost the same. The site that I am hunting was established around 1850.
In the winter of 1861 the 45th Virginia Infantry was encamped there.

It has been suggested that the buckle was used to attach a bedroll to the saddle.
Tom

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Civil War Confederate LOUISIANA Bedroll Pattern Buckle - Dug Stafford County, VA.

This is the rare but nondescript bedroll pattern buckle worn by Louisiana Troops and documented in Lord's Encyclopedia on Civil War collectibles. This buckle has some fine etching on the face but I cant make it out may be just scratches or s soldiers design. a Fine excavated example from the Gilespie estate of Auburn, IN.

$ 45

http://bluegrayrelics.com/

 

[TomB]

Civil War Confederate LOUISIANA Bedroll Pattern Buckle - Dug Stafford County, VA.

This is the rare but nondescript bedroll pattern buckle worn by Louisiana Troops and documented in Lord's Encyclopedia on Civil War collectibles. This buckle has some fine etching on the face but I cant make it out may be just scratches or s soldiers design. a Fine excavated example from the Gilespie estate of Auburn, IN.

$ 45

http://bluegrayrelics.com/

Thanks to Smith and Gypsy the buckle has been ID. Knew I could count on members here to help. TomB

 

[lonewolfe]

cool find

HH

 

[mojjax]

1895 Montgomery Ward catalogue has this similar item -

 

[TomB]

1895 Montgomery Ward catalogue has this similar item -

Agree..except the size. Mine is 2 3/4" by 1 1/2" but the design is almost the same.
Tom

 

[TomB]

1895 Montgomery Ward catalogue has this similar item -

The use of this buckle form historically was very great. The particular specimens referred to as "Louisiana Pattern", etc., have specific attributes regarding the casting, composition of metals used, etc..

It is important to not get too carried away with calling these items Confederate. There is a big difference (in value) between Central Government issued equipage, and something from civilian life that was impressed into service in a military capacity.

Sure, the Confederates used these, but apparently just about everyone else did as well.

They are cool buckles though. It may be time for someone to do a study on these, if it has not already been done, and answer some questions about these. Any volunteers?

Point well taken plehbah...shame it did not have C.S.A. on it...
TomB