real or fake maryland civil war plate

[ijg660]

Hi all I got this civil war plate at an auction and am trying to find out about it. It is marked e.gaylord on the back. the back is lead and the front is brass, I think. I know its a Maryland state seal and the only picture I have found are of the front. Any help is appreciated.

 

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[Painter65]

I was a bid catcher for an auctioneer for a year or so and saw alot of Civil War items come and go. Most was real, the auctioneer was pretty particular that fake stuff was not allowed and if it even was it was fully disclosed. Any good auctioneer should disclose whether its fake or not if he knows. Most auctioneers are very familiar with their pickers,( the people who bring in the merchandise), so I would say unless he said it to be fake its likely real.
How much did you pay..that would be a good indication as well.

 

[ijg660]

thank for the response and yes I did kind believe the auctioneer. But at the time of the auction there were not to many people (snow storm). So price realized was not to be expected.

 

[ijg660]

any help or link to picture of back that matches would be very helpful also who would you get to authenticate and certify

 

[Tin Nugget]

Scroll down a little. The seal sure is right. Not sure about the back.

http://hanoverbrass.com/page8.htm

 

[EDDE]

how much did you pay on ebay

 

[kg6yll]

Not sure how authentic it is. Looking in Steve Mullinax's book Confederate Belt Buckles and plates it appears to be Plate #303.

Waist Belt Plate, Maryland, Enlisted, ca. 1860-1865
Die-Struck, rolled brass face, lead filled with brass belt hooks. Studs consist of oval washers fitted on posts and capped with lead.

Plate #304 has the identical face but is:

Die-struck rolled brass face, lead filled with iron wire loops. "E. GAYLORD" stamped on back.

The variety you show does not have "iron wire loops" it has "oval washers".

Not sure if the discrepancy means anything but it should be noted.

KG6YLL

 

[ijg660]

I did not buy it on ebay but might sell it there. Hanoverbrass shows the Virginia Historical Society (Maryland-Steuart Collection) front but not the back I agree they look identical. I did some more googleing and found the E.gaylord on some leather goods, and some pages about counterfeits. thank again

http://hanoverbrass.com/page8.htm search maryland

 

[ijg660]

thanks for the reply know I just don't know maybe all keep it till I find out more

 

[kg6yll]

Here ya go.

KG6YLL

 

[ijg660]

KG6YLL thank you thank you thank you

 

[Iron Patch]

I have a feeling you're goig to be out of luck with that one. The fakes can look pretty good!

http://relicman.com/fakeCon303MarylandOval.htm

 

[Painter65]

............I still think it look like the real McCoy.

 

[Goldiver]

Im no expert, but I have seen alot of plates both real and fake. This one appears legit to me. Usually the easiest place to tell is on the back and fakers usually screw up on the hook manufacture. Yours looks good even having the correct angle of placement on the oval washers and correct tongue design. I can't really tell if the makers stamping is identical or not from the pics.

Very nice looking plate either way.

Good luck,
Steve

 

[Iron Patch]

Im no expert, but I have seen alot of plates both real and fake. This one appears legit to me. Usually the easiest place to tell is on the back and fakers usually screw up on the hook manufacture. Yours looks good even having the correct angle of placement on the oval washers and correct tongue design. I can't really tell if the makers stamping is identical or not from the pics.

Very nice looking plate either way.

Good luck,
Steve

Well if it is there will be a big party somerwhere soon!

 

[ijg660]

better pics of back

 

[Slabman]

NICE BUY!!! I wouldn't get into a big hurry to sell. I would certainly have it authenticated.
From what info out on the net, if it is real, it appears to be a museum quality piece, and could
bring some decent money... possibly into the 5 figures. I saw on one web site, a sword plate
with the same design, and not nearly the condition of yours, at close to $5000.00 bucks!!
It would be fun to play with that one! $$$

Slabman

 

[Iron Patch]

I'm not sure that looks like 150+ year old lead... but then again I'm used to looking at dug finds.

 

[ijg660]

I have found these two link

First different plate but the block lettering in Gaylord looks the same
http://www.civilwarpreservations.com/catdet.asp?TargetItem=BBR356&CategoryType=relics

second is a dug Maryland plate but there is no pic of back
http://www.qmgrelics.com/cgi-bin/Display_Items.asp?Cat=173&Sub=689

second link near bottom
see what you guys think, many thank

 

[ijg660]

Hi all I have just received an email from the Civil War Antiques Preservation Society. The director says the plate looks good, authentic but is not sure of the stamped E.Gaylord on the back. And needs to see it to say 100%. I"ll try to keep everyone up to date. Thanks again everyone