Help ID silver plated shoe buckle

[Keith123]

Found this shoe buckle which I believe is a copper alloy with silver gilt or plating on it (not sure what the difference is between the two). Haven't had it tested but I'm thinking it is a thin layer of silver based on how it came out of the ground and cleaned up. The size is 64mm x 47mm. Iron shank still intact but no chape or tongue. Very interesting design on it and by far my best shoe buckle found. I checked around a little bit but couldn't find any similar designs. I'd appreciate any help on type of buckle or date range!

 

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[FreeBirdTim]

I can't find that exact buckle online, but I would say that it's from the 1770's to the 1790's. Definitely has thin silver plating on it. Great find!

 

[Keith123]

I can't find that exact buckle online, but I would say that it's from the 1770's to the 1790's. Definitely has thin silver plating on it. Great find!

Thanks for the response Tim! What details give away that date range? Or is that just a popular time for shoe buckles?

 

[villagenut]

Gorgeous buckle, a real looker

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Shoe buckles got really big and ornate during that time period. If you check out page 101 of this link, you can read up on it.


http://www.reenactor.ru/ARH/PDF/Whitehead.pdf