the eagle and the swampbird

[TRice]

Dug both of these today! Only other things were a couple of fired pistol bullets that I haven't really checked out hard. Shouldn't have been any Lousianner troops there. I think those yankees were collectin' Confederate buttons. Unusual back for an eagle plate. The Plate is stamped, not cast, and doesn't have the applied silver wreath. This stuff would have been lost the last week of the war. The Plate was on edge, not that deep, sounded like junk and I have no idea why I dug it. The ground was heavy with iron and, get this, strewn with shreaded pepsi cans. Like a bushhog had shreaded them throwing the Aluminum everywhere. Oh well, I ain't done in there.

 

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[Gunrunner61]

Congrats on some killer finds, Never saw a back like that............HH

 

[Tim(Mo)]

Sweet Finds !!

 

[birdman]

That button is worth more then the plate. Wow,what a day!

 

[TRice]

The button is, I guess, a local. I can't make out any backmark, and it is a two piece.

 

[Wildcat1750]

Nice!!!

 

[DirtyMike]

I have found that exact plate years ago and was told that it was post war. Not sure on that cause after that I just assumed they were. Wonder if they were just late war accoutrements. Nice looking plates for sure. Congrats on that find. If I can find anymore info on them I will get back at ya. Oh and very nice swamp bird.

 

[digging440yrs]

NICE JOB !!!!!

 

[TRice]

Thanks for posting that DirtyMike, that's a dead ringer for my plate. Was yours dug in a War time context? I realized it would be ID'd as post since it is unusual. I have a guy I'll take it to next week that is an expert in late, late war. I seem to remember that there was alot of new light weight different stuff like this issued at the end. In the context I found this, it'd be hard to imagine it as post war but stranger things have happened to me in the world of relics. Another thought is, could it be a school buckle like VMI. Several VMI war time buttons have been dug in the area.

 

[TRice]

I just saw on a couple of websites that this is the 1874 Federal Eagle Pattern belt plate. Thought it was CW, but guess not, still a good find. Thanks for all the responses and encouragement.

 

[oldsalty19]

great historic finds.....wtg

 

[Papa Bear]

Well done on the find! It shows that it pays to dig everything....Again, well done!!

 

[kuger]

You ided it for yourself before I could which you nailed!still great plate!

 

[Lloydd]

My Uncle gave me a belt and buckle just like yours, which belonged to his Grandfather who was a CW Vet. I took it to the Antiques Roadshow with other CW articles and was told that the belt and buckle were Post CW, as you have noted, but they never told me any more about it. Glad to get more info from these replies! HH Lloyd Draper

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

is that "swamp bird " a pelican not sure if I heard anyone call them that before , even when I stayed down South .

 

[TRice]

Lloyd, I'm still trying to learn more on that plate, thanks for sharing your story - that's interesting indeed! CMDiamond - I was just bein' a wise acre calling the Pelican a swampbird. Thanks

 

[TRice]

Hey Lloyd, can you put a photo on here of your belt and plate? Thanks

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

thought it was a pelican , up here the laughing gull is called the Flying Rat . Nice buckle

 

[wheatfinder13]

Great find