Calling Bill D. (VA), need help with possible colonial buckle. Carved lead, too.

[matt092079]

Got out for the first time in about a month today with my cousin. Today was a good reminder why summer hunting isn't that great. Wouldn't be as bad if it weren't so humid. Either way, we hit it around 6:30 and started finding some CW lead right off the bat. I was up to about 8 bullets in about a half hour. We both worked our way down to the bottom portion of the field and I didn't have much luck until I found this beautiful colonial(?) buckle. I'm not sure of the metal type, though. The condition is great. The buckle is a mixture of metals, brass for the center for sure, but not sure on the main part. Maybe I can get some help from the buckle people around here. I managed to lose about 5 bullets as I forgot to zip up my pouch. I ended up finding 3 of them, but lost 1 or 2 and one of them being the very first one I found which was carved. The other 2 carved ones are the smith carbine and the 3 ringer which is VERY cool looking. Also got the iron buckle. Only detected till about 1:00. I can't WAIT for fall to get here. Waaay better and can definitely keep my stamina up longer in the cooler temps. Thanks for looking guys and girls. HH.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Diving for Pleasure and Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[wvwildman]

nice finds congrats HH

 

[The Rebel]

Nice hunt. I believe that is a colonial knee buckle.

 

[matt092079]

I've heard of knee buckles, but what was the "knee buckle" used for exactly?

 

[grasshopper]

That buckle is a beauty!!

 

[baspinall]

Tied the pants strings at the knee. Socks/leggins were worn high then.

 

[VaMark]

Nice stuff! Love those carved bullets!

 

[VOL1266-X]

Especially nice summer finds Matt!! I like that ornate buckle and the carved bullet. WTG, Q.

 

[romeo-1]

That's definitely an old one...nice pick up!

 

[Inches from Insanity]

Sweet finds, congrats!

 

[matt092079]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Clay Slayer]

Cool finds!

Knee buckle -

 

[matt092079]

Cool finds!

Knee buckle -

Awesome. Thank you!

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Nice find Matt! That's almost certainly a 1700s 2-piece knee buckle. Tight fitting breeches and socks which were buckled below the knee came into fashion around 1720, and these style buckles were used to hold things in place. They went out of style by the 1790s as long trousers replaced the breeches and tights. Knee buckles can be confused with early shoe buckles, but generally when the spindle runs across the length (rather than the width) as yours does its a knee buckle. But its possible it could be a children's shoe buckle too. I couldn't find an exact match in my book, but I think a 1700s knee buckle is most likely what you have. Now go find the matching colonial silver coins.

 

[John_Deere]

Sweet finds, I like the carved lead! Congrats and HH!

 

[matt092079]

Nice find Matt! That's almost certainly a 1700s 2-piece knee buckle. Tight fitting breeches and socks which were buckled below the knee came into fashion around 1720, and these style buckles were used to hold things in place. They went out of style by the 1790s as long trousers replaced the breeches and tights. Knee buckles can be confused with early shoe buckles, but generally when the spindle runs across the length (rather than the width) as yours does its a knee buckle. But its possible it could be a children's shoe buckle too. I couldn't find an exact match in my book, but I think a 1700s knee buckle is most likely what you have. Now go find the matching colonial silver coins.

Thanks for all the great info, Bill. I knew I could count on you! No colonial silver yet...only ONE colonial copper as of yet.

 

[BuckleBoy]

That is a Beautiful find that anyone would be thrilled to make.

 

[matt092079]

That is a Beautiful find that anyone would be thrilled to make.

Thanks, Buck. I'm pretty proud of the find!

 

[the bone]

That carved bullet is pretty cool! Anyone know why it was carved like that? Did they carve them like that tso they would expand more on impact and do more damage?

 

[matt092079]

That carved bullet is pretty cool! Anyone know why it was carved like that? Did they carve them like that tso they would expand more on impact and do more damage?

They carved them more for "fun" or out of boredom I think. They would used then for chess pieces, which I'm thinking that one was used for. Kinda looks like a crown.