Real or Fake: US Belt Plate

[coinman123]

Bought this for $15 at an antique shop with a $20 bill I found on the ground earlier this week! Does it look real or fake? Some old scratches and dents, which look convincing. If real, what variety is it? Second photo looks bad, with a lot of flash used, sorry!

 

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[jewelerguy]

I don't know anything about civil war belt plates. Here's a link that shows some fakes/repros. One thing I notice between yours and theirs, is that yours has a somewhat beveled underside on the single hook whereas none of these appear to. I don't know if that means anything or not Fakes, US oval buckles & boxplates, Federal plates 475 to 534

 

[coinman123]

I don't know anything about civil war belt plates. Here's a link that shows some fakes/repros. One thing I notice between yours and theirs, is that yours has a somewhat beveled underside on the single hook whereas none of these appear to. I don't know if that means anything or not Fakes, US oval buckles & boxplates, Federal plates 475 to 534

Thanks! The hooks on mine looks a little thicker too, along with the slight beveling on the long single hook.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I don't know enough about these to say real or not, but at 15 bucks I'd guess the seller thought it was a repro. I hope it's real and you got a bargain, but even if it's not $15 for a nice looking repro plate isn't bad

 

[coinman123]

I don't know enough about these to say real or not, but at 15 bucks I'd guess the seller thought it was a repro. I hope it's real and you got a bargain, but even if it's not $15 for a nice looking repro plate isn't bad

My thoughts too! It was just with a tag that said, "Civil War Buckle - $18". I don't think anyone with a slight knowledge of Civil War belt plates would have one so cheap. Maybe he didn't want to sell it as real for a lot of money, and have it end up being fake, accidentally ripping someone off.

 

[coinman123]

You can see some belt wear to the right of the arrow hooks.

 

[Fullstock]

I’m sorry to say that your buckle is a reproduction. These were made in the 60’s and 70’s. The tongue was marked replica, but it looks like that’s been filed off, that’s why the tongue looks like it comes to a sharp edge. But it’s worth $15.00, so you did ok.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Your civil war US Oval belt buckle is an AWFULLY close "real-or-repro" call... but I have to agree with Fullstock. The simple "doctor's-wooden-tongue-depressor" style of tongue-hook has definitely been filed down, and that was not done on Original ones. The sideview photo you posted was the crucial ID-clue... it shows how much of the tongue-hook's original thickness was removed to get rid of the copy/replica stamping... its end is now only as thick as a small knife-blade. And, you can see that it is thinner than the arrowhead hooks.

I should mention, for other readers... the "Doctor's-wooden-tongue-depressor" shape of tongue hook is a major clue that the buckle is a reproduction. That shape, having PARALLEL SIDES, is close to the shape on Original buckles, but their tongue-hook's sides taper inward toward the end of the hook.

 

[coinman123]

Your civil war US Oval blet buckle is an AWFULLY close "real-or-repro" call... but I have to agree with Fullstock. The simple "doctor's-wooden-tongue-depressor" style of tongue-hook has definitely been filed down, and that was not done on Original ones. The sideview photo you posted was the crucial ID-clue... it shows how much of the tongue-hook's original thickness was removed to get rid of the copy/replica stamping... its end is now only as thick as a small knife-blade.

Thanks guys! I guess that it isn't that big of a loss! Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Still a nice conversation piece!

 

[relic nut]

Still a great find and good deal. If I had that, I could have some real fun with some of my hunting buddy's, although I might end up having it surgically removed. [emoji39]

Great info on this thread on what to look for. Thanks guys.

 

[sprailroad]

The CannonBallGuy strikes again. Gee that guy is good.

 

[OZARKS]

I’m sorry to say that your buckle is a reproduction. These were made in the 60’s and 70’s. The tongue was marked replica, but it looks like that’s been filed off, that’s why the tongue looks like it comes to a sharp edge. But it’s worth $15.00, so you did ok.

My first thought is repro, for the reasons stated

 

[coinman123]

Still a great find and good deal. If I had that, I could have some real fun with some of my hunting buddy's, although I might end up having it surgically removed. [emoji39]

Great info on this thread on what to look for. Thanks guys.

I have some ideas involving the people who stole one of my cellar hole sites! Lol!

 

[relic nut]

I have some ideas involving the people who stole one of my cellar hole sites! Lol!

Let me know how it works out!
Would make a great thread.

 

[coinman123]

Your civil war US Oval belt buckle is an AWFULLY close "real-or-repro" call... but I have to agree with Fullstock. The simple "doctor's-wooden-tongue-depressor" style of tongue-hook has definitely been filed down, and that was not done on Original ones. The sideview photo you posted was the crucial ID-clue... it shows how much of the tongue-hook's original thickness was removed to get rid of the copy/replica stamping... its end is now only as thick as a small knife-blade. And, you can see that it is thinner than the arrowhead hooks.

I should mention, for other readers... the "Doctor's-wooden-tongue-depressor" shape of tongue hook is a major clue that the buckle is a reproduction. That shape, having PARALLEL SIDES, is close to the shape on Original buckles, but their tongue-hook's sides taper inward toward the end of the hook.

Also, After reading your post, and the one above, I checked the tongue hook. And, I definitely see rather noticeable filing, I guess I didn't notice it at first because it looks pretty tarnished over, but the all the hairline scratches are there if you look closely. Thanks again! One day I will have the real one! A guy gave me a couple dug, Union Civil War buttons at a coin show when I told him that I metal detect, so at least I have something from the conflict!

 

[sutphin]

NICE CONVERSATION PIECE