Rare Virginia militia belt plate(unfortunately only half)

[Gregg3131]

I found this at Civil war site. Took a while to figure out what it was however it has been identified as a cast Virginia belt plate. There is debate on whether it's period or post 1870s however it is a very rare variety. Any experts that can help I'd date range? Nevertheless despite its condition pretry happy with it.

 

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[trapperart]

No help here but congrats on your find

 

[chrisdigs]

Awesome find...congrats, maybe you can find the other half ,good luck.

 

[MadTom]

Though just half that's a real nice find

 

[parsonwalker]

Wow. Just wow. heartbreaker, but how many people have ever found even HALF?!

 

[DirtyMike&Tab]

That's a real cool plate. Looks like it's been in a fire. Was this a surface find?

 

[vpnavy]

..: NICE FIND :..​

 

[mlutz]

http://www.blockaderunner.com/images/Cw23.jpg


CW-23 $24.95 BUY NOW!
VIRGINIA BELT PLATE, ENGLISH MANUFACTURE
CIRCA: 1861-1865

As DCMatt stated in the other thread, it seems to be English made from 1861-1865. Here is a reproduction site. Hope this helps.

 

[smokeythecat]

Very nice.

 

[DirtyMike&Tab]

I know of one of these being found in Culpepper, Va.

 

[texjim]

Awesome job...

 

[mlutz]

They must be pretty rare. I have looked for some time and can only come up with replicas. Gregg3131, you might want to think about having it evaluated. Even though it is in pretty bad shape, it is still recognizable and may still have some value. Even if it doesn't I think it is still a magnificent find!

 

[mlutz]

Something else just popped in my head. I wonder if it could have been a part of a burn pit where they burned bloodied clothing or something. There may be a ton of other stuff like buttons in close proximity to that spot. Can you remember where that spot was exactly to try to hit it again?

 

[Gregg3131]

Thanks for the comments. Only reference book that carries it states it 1870s and indeed a rare plate although I do see the other site listing it as 1861 to 1865. Owner of Hanover Brass thinks post war too. Yes it was definitely in a fire and interestingly enough was found at a civil war hospital but have yet to find anything else there. Based on where it was found was hoping it's war period but it may be post but not 100% on it yet. I am crossing fingers it's period although happy with it regardless

 

[mlutz]

I would be happy with it too. I would hunt that area low and slow until I dropped from exhaustion. Especially if it is a known CW hospital area. I hope you get back out there. I have hunted around Richmond a few times and have found some decent things. Nothing like that though. One of these days I will find my first plate.... Hope, hope, hope.....

 

[huntsman53]

Awesome find! I am likely wrong but I would think that it is period, otherwise why would you have found it at a known Civil War Hospital site??!! Also, it appears that besides fire damage, it suffered a shrapnel or bullet hit and the other 1/3rd is likely still on the battlefield. If that is what happened, then it likely did not fair well for the soldier wearing it!


Frank

 

[Gregg3131]

Yep so far no other goodies at this spot but will keep at it.

 

[Gregg3131]

Found a Georgia Frame buckle about 50 feet from this last week

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very nice relic recovery!