🥇 BANNER Waist Belt Buckle ID Help

[Curious The George]

My hunting partner, Buck, got us on the site of an old building from ca. 1830 that had been torn down. I found this buckle behind where the building stood. There were known Confederate and Union troops that camped in this area at the end of the CW.

I have looked at several books on buckles and so far come up with nothing. Closest I come is in "Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795-1874" by Sydney C. Kerkisis. On pages 10, 11, 12 there are buckles show of similar design but the belt loops are not the same. And those buckles are Infantry, Artillery and generic service.

This buckle is obviously Navy oriented. There are buttons from the War of 1812 era that have a similar eagle with oval shield containing an anchor.

It is quite surprising how much of the original gold plating remained on the buckle. The only reason the eagle lost his is because when I dug it I took a toothbrush to it in order to find out what the design was. I know I shouldn't have but around here our ground is not usually this friendly to plating. Most places is good old red clay but this particular location had dark sandy soil for some reason.

At any rate if anyone has seen this style buckle and is willing to fill me in I sure would appreciate it.

 

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[Argentium]

Absolutely incredible find ! Thank you for your generosity of spirit to be willing to donate this to a museum so that all may enjoy
this wonderful relic. Congratulations on a truly "once in a lifetime " find !

 

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[hogge]

Great find & congrats on the banner! I'm skeptical about museums, if I gave anything away it would have to be on permanent display. I wouldn't want it sitting in a box... A museum lost something of mine before. I'll keep my relics in my personal museum for now. Maybe when I die the museum will get a few things lol

Well first I would like to commend the poster on his find, and banner. Finding something this rare is tremendous to say the least, and should probably make next years "Best Finds" issue. I don't think the Naval Museum at Annapolis will "lose" or sell this relic. Thirdly...you're a better man than I for donating it, as I would definitely sell this piece. CONGRATS......and good luck! Hope to hear how it works out. Hogge

 

[tidetraveler]

Congrats on a rare find!

 

[peter2t]

you have half of a c1810 usn belt plate and dependent on size is for a sword or dirk belt - i know of two others that are pictured in my book on navy plates - very rare and is excellent condition would love to add to my collection

 

[markp]

super nice buckle. This is a great Civil War save, congratulations

 

[markp]

Congratulations on a great find. Nice Civil War save.

 

[absosecur]

Circa 1803 I think was said. Way before civil war. Honest mistake I'm sure.

 

[acepro]

these can be worth big $$$ great find and a beautiful peice of history

 

[Breezie]

WOW! Awesome buckle! CONGRATULATIONS on digging that great BANNER find!


Breezie

 

[prolab69]

wow thats a sweet find, i guess theres not many of these 1803 belt plates out there, sounds quite rare

 

[pickaway]

Bad a$$ find, congrats...

 

[Graysondigger]

My hunting partner, Buck, got us on the site of an old building from ca. 1830 that had been torn down. I found this buckle behind where the building stood. There were known Confederate and Union troops that camped in this area at the end of the CW. I have looked at several books on buckles and so far come up with nothing. Closest I come is in "Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795-1874" by Sydney C. Kerkisis. On pages 10, 11, 12 there are buckles show of similar design but the belt loops are not the same. And those buckles are Infantry, Artillery and generic service. This buckle is obviously Navy oriented. There are buttons from the War of 1812 era that have a similar eagle with oval shield containing an anchor. It is quite surprising how much of the original gold plating remained on the buckle. The only reason the eagle lost his is because when I dug it I took a toothbrush to it in order to find out what the design was. I know I shouldn't have but around here our ground is not usually this friendly to plating. Most places is good old red clay but this particular location had dark sandy soil for some reason. At any rate if anyone has seen this style buckle and is willing to fill me in I sure would appreciate it.

Absolutely AWSOME! Want to trade for my CSA plate? (Just Kidding) Congrats and HH!