✅ SOLVED What is this from? Carolina tag

[SkyPirate]

What could this be? 1.25 inches by 2.5 inches. Weighs 1.1 oz. Seems to be brass or copper . Says CAROLINA on it. Nothing on the back. Found at a homesite dating back to the mid 1700's

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

It is what buckle-collectors call a "College" or "School" buckle, from circa 1900 to 1925. See photos and info on page 523 of the book "American Military Belt Plates."

 

[SkyPirate]

What could this be? 1.25 inches by 2.5 inches. Weighs 1.1 oz. Seems to be brass or copper . Says CAROLINA on it. Nothing on the back. Found at a homesite dating back to the mid 1700's

Where can I find this book? Online? Thanks.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Go here: American Military Belt Plates: Michael J. O'Donnell, J. Duncan Campbell: 9780967073125: Amazon.com: Books

 

[SkyPirate]

Thanks but I don't want to buy the book, just want to see page 523.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

The photographs in that book are Copyrighted. As a published author myself, I am unwilling to violate the Copyright by copying and posting those images here for you. However, here is what the text on page 523 says.
"Waist Belt Plate, School Plate, "GEORGIA", circa 1900-1925
Dimensions: 40 x 78 mm
Construction: Thin cast brass plate with applied tongue and belt loop bar.
Remarks: Popular style of early 20th century school plate marketed by several firms. The 1916 North & Judd catalog (New Britain, Conn.) listed these as "college buckles." They offered to make up new designs with different school names at no extra cost provided a gross or more were ordered. Thomas Parry & Sons advertized these as "College Belt Buckles" in the same period."

(End of quoting from the book.)

Although the book shows only a Georgia plate, I've seen several others, with various state names. The sizes vary somewhat, due to being made by more than one manufacturer (as the book mentions). The distinguishing characteristic is that the state name is always spelled out in tall capital plain-block letters, on a recessed background inside a raised flat border ...and, those plates are always solid-cast brass, never thin stamped sheetbrass. Your plate matches each of those characteristics.

 

[SkyPirate]

Thanks for the information. I really appreciate it!