Early 1800s Militia Belt Plate. But has anyone ever seen one like this?

[ekeisler]

A few days ago I dug up my first belt plate! Very excited. I was grinning from ear to ear when I popped it out and realized what I had. Ive been told it’s around 1820s so I looked it up and found 2 plates very similar to mine. The difference is the arrows on mine are on the left side of the plate. The other two of which I have included pictures below, have a noticeable olive branch and tail feathers where my arrows are. Unfortunately I never found the middle section of the plate but I got enough to see that the eagle/arrows are different on mine than the other two I found online. Let me know your thoughts!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector for Experts with Tone ID & Adjustable Sensitivity - Grab it through Amazon!

[ToddsPoint]

Could that be a bullet hole in the center? Gary

 

[A2coins]

OOOuuuch that would hurt!!!!!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

A bit of background history on where you found it would be helpful as well.

Was there any military activity in the area, did it come from an old homestead site, what part of the US did you find it in?

A pic of the back would help.

Dave

 

[ekeisler]

A bit of background history on where you found it would be helpful as well.

Was there any military activity in the area, did it come from an old homestead site, what part of the US did you find it in?

A pic of the back would help.

Dave

Found it in the Lowcountry of SC at an early plantation site that’s yielded War of 1812 buttons as well as CW plates and buttons. A couple miles away from a small CW battle site. The back just has a rust spot where one of the clasps was.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Now knowing the background history behind your site, it definitely looks like your buckle is the real deal.
If this was my find, I'd consider getting it restored, as this is a find you'll always cherish.

A few years ago I had an 1840 British Military Backpack plate restored by Roland Frodigh in Virginia.
Here's a link to my post on it's restoration... http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/restoration-projects/447676-british-knapsack-badge-restored.html

Dave

 

[ekeisler]

Not sure why the arrows are on the left side of my buckle where the tail feathers are on the other 2 buckles

 

[devldog]

ekeisler, Congrat's to you on a super nice piece of History. Well Done and Continued Success to you.

 

[Retired Sarge]

Look at the following link he shows pre war plates with the arrows on the same side as your find. Maybe send him a message to see if he can ID yours.

Ridgeway Reference Library, Civil War plates and buckles

 

[Fullstock]

I have a non dug one in my collection. The bar on the back of my plate apparently broke off and it was repaired to have three hooks instead of the bar. I can still see remains of soldier where the bar was attached. I believe that the plate is a militia plate from the 1840’s or 50’s.