Colonial solid silver shoe buckle…

[K1DDO1979]

Another bucket lister I always wanted to find. So far 2025 is starting out pretty well. I found a complete solid silver colonial shoe buckle. I found other complete shoe buckles and pieces over years but never solid silver. Closest I came was a smaller sterling silver colonial knee buckle but it was only the frame. Now I have the knee and shoe buckle variety’s. The tide was super low so I decided to try the shoreline around where I found my 1865 20 cent piece the other day. Any signals were very few and far between but i got a loud high pitch steady signal at the top edge of the high tide line. I rolled a couple of bigger loose rocks out of thy way and just under the sandy mud mix was the shoe buckle. I was super excited it was complete. It’s a good thing the insides of the buckle were brass because most were iron and it would’ve been long gone rusted out due to the salt water. It’s a shame the salt conditions were so harsh on the buckles silver frame by darkening/discolouring it and making it semi rough with small pitting but besides that it’s in really good solid shape. I’ve dug shoreline silver coins nearby in the exact conditions that did the same look and damage to them. Also there’s no silver hallmark and it would’ve been nice to get a maker or date but I know there are lots of unmarked examples. Thanks for looking! 😁👍

 

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[CRUSADER]

Sorry, but I'm not seeing any solid silver signs in your post. Looks copper-alloy in the pictures.

 

[K1DDO1979]

Sorry, but I'm not seeing any solid silver signs in your post. Looks copper-alloy in the pictures.

I knew it was going to be questioned eventually and I was scratching my head on if it was or not the whole time. Without a hallmark I know it’s all up to guesswork but I also had many people I sent it to and most agreed with the silver. I guess only true way is getting it tested. I’ve dug other silver things that turned out looking the same way. Here’s a few examples….

 

[ironhorse]

The Atlantic sea water can do a number on silver...and not in a good way.
Incredibly rare to dig a buckle that big and still intact...a feat in itself!

 

[K1DDO1979]

The Atlantic sea water can do a number on silver...and not in a good way.
Incredibly rare to dig a buckle that big and still intact...a feat in itself!

I wonder if all the granite rock acidity around here mixed in can have a factor also with the salt on silvers.

 

[The Rebel]

Beautiful buckle!

 

[mindcrime1988]

I bet that buckle had a nice & loud sound coming through the detector. Being complete is a huge plus.

 

[K1DDO1979]

I bet that buckle had a nice & loud sound coming through the detector. Being complete is a huge plus.

Yes was a perfect loud high tone on the nox 800.

 

[pepperj]

Great condition on the buckle, still on the want list.congrats

 

[Gare]

Nice finds

 

[Silvermonkey]

Finding any type of complete shoe buckle is a big accomplishment. Congratulations !!!

 

[mjb Mike]

very nice i dig alot of old silver coins here in salt water and most come out black nice find

 

[oldmxrat]

Wow, one of the best examples I've seen, congrats!

 

[CRUSADER]

I knew it was going to be questioned eventually and I was scratching my head on if it was or not the whole time. Without a hallmark I know it’s all up to guesswork but I also had many people I sent it to and most agreed with the silver. I guess only true way is getting it tested. I’ve dug other silver things that turned out looking the same way. Here’s a few examples….View attachment 2197633View attachment 2197634View attachment 2197635View attachment 2197636View attachment 2197637

Might be odd ground conditions but a very cheap & easy way to tell is spit on some tin foil & rub it, if it is silver it will react & create an egg smell.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Congrats on the great finds !

 

[K1DDO1979]

Might be odd ground conditions but a very cheap & easy way to tell is spit on some tin foil & rub it, if it is silver it will react & create an egg smell.

I heard of that. I will give it a go sometime soon. 👍