Old buckle

[atomicscott]

Hi Everybody! Though I would ask the experts here, who are always so very helpful. Found this buckle at a homesite, it appears to be brass. I was told it could be a modern reproduction, but that seems like a lot of trouble to reproduce such a trivial item. It says PAT. DEC 3, 1873. A couple of the numbers are difficult to make out, so I'm not 100% confident. Any idea how old it may be? Or what type of buckle it could be? Thanks so much for any help you can offer! HH, Scott

 

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[sawmill man]

I think them are buckle covers , but someone more knowledgeable will know for sure.

 

[nhbenz]

Correct. The date is more legible here; http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/today-s-finds/357351-1879-pat-buckle.html

and the patent:

 

[atomicscott]

Thanks so much for the quick responses! I wonder how long they were made after the 1879 PAT date?