Rookie finds a belt buckle

[CoinBarren]

I just got my f4 two days ago.My first metal detector. I thought it would never get here. I rushed out and tested it in my pre-made test garden. All said and done i ended up losing 27 cents.I couldn't wait another minute to go hunt for coins even if i was starting my hobby 400.27 in the hole,not to mention i was less than confident in my skills lol. I went to the woods close to my home. I found an old house that had collapsed to the ground. My first solid hit was this belt buckle. It was 3 inches down, id said it was a 1$. I was so happy! When i saw that eagle on the buckle.Wow !!! I would like to know if anyone could help me date it also i would like to know if i should clean it or leave it alone.(guess i have seen to many episodes of Pawn Stars).

 

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[CoinBarren]

It has the number 846 stamped on the back,above the latch.

 

[Face Stabber]

Seal of the President of the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

All I can tell is that is the Presidential Seal. I'll exercise some more Google-Fu and see what I can come up with...

 

[Itsmine]

Looks to me, just from snooping around on the web, like a Union Officer, Civil War buckle......Great find......Nice to see the hook intact too. Hard to tell from the picture, little dark. I wouldn't do anything else to it, until you find someoine else who can tell you if its real, or a reproduction......Terrific find. This is the stuff that keeps us all going.........Beginner or veteran alike......


Here's an image search from Google on Officer Buckles. I think it looks very similar to a couple of these......


union officer belt buckles - Google Search

 

[CoinBarren]

e pluribus unum is what the banner reads.

 

[Face Stabber]

Online Private Garage Sale

Here is someone selling a "duplication" of it for $50. They say it's from the Civil War.

 

[CoinBarren]

sweet!! Thanks for the info.

 

[Itsmine]

If it's an original, it could be more than $200. There are a lot of sites selling repro's for the re-enactment crowd. Good luck!

 

[CoinBarren]

I found the buckle. tge/sb enlisted 1863. That's so cool!!!! I still wonder if i should clean it or not. It's missing a few spot's on it. Banged up pretty good.would hide it more if i left it alone.

 

[Itsmine]

You could try soaking it in a mild detergent to loosen up any caked on dirt, but if you go scrubbing it, even with a toothbrush, if it is authentic, you may loose some value....Be careful, if you loose the patina you have lost 50% of its value. I'm a bottle collector and a former antique's dealer.

 

[hamiddetecting]

Very nice congrats

 

[mangum]

Is the brass still shiny? It looks that way in your photo. If so I'd say its a repro. An old buckle would have much more of a patina. I'm no expert but that's my initial observation.

 

[John Boy]

Very nice buddy.sweet find.That just might of paid for that f4.way to go.

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Welcome , right out of the box and your first find , that's Krazy kool , you might want to get some lottery tickets while your luck is still at a high point . Awesome find !!

 

[JmCraz8]

Nice!!

 

[Davers]

If its not a repo ,you are a LUCKY ,man indeed . Sorry I dont have my reference book at hand ,but Im sure in a short time someone on T net or you will confirm if your 'Plate' is authentic or not . not bad for a first signal dug lol

 

[birdman]

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

That's an amazing case of beginners luck. I imagine you're hooked on this hobby after just the first signal. Super nice find!

 

[BroncosFan]

Very nice!!

 

[detroitdigger]

Sweet buckle!!!