Buckles & Plates
Gorgeous Georgia Boxplate Dug at the Battle of Franklin in Late 2008
Clearly Impacted/Struck in Face (Appears Likely Case-Shot or Pistol Ball)
When I had a chance to get this one, I said to myself, "I don't care if it never sells" (though I don't seem to have that "problem" too much, to my dismay!) It's not often I have the chance to acquire such a beautiful and rare Confederate state plate, with full/ironclad relic hunter provenance coming from such a historic battlefield, and one that I firmly believe as being a "struck" plate. The location upon the Franklin battlefield will be revealed to the future owner--after all, he just dug it right before the Nashville Show late last year! I don't want to spoil the spot for the digger! The crisp features and phenomenal overall condition (for such a recent find) is truly stunning. It gives us relic hunters "hope" that indeed there are quality, rare, and historic relics left to be found. Obviously, the face has been struck by a small diameter rounded object, no bigger than a case shot lead ball, and no smaller than a .44 ball. The lead filled back reveals a glimpse into the force and relative size of the projectile that struck the face--the lead where weakened under the force of impact had flaked away in it's oxidation process--an area a little larger than the impacting object (let's do some "CSI" work here, and use some knowledge of Physics/ballistics!) This is what we would expect from the expansion of the force applied through the soft metal (lead). Thus, we know the projectile is not bigger than the flaked impact area/zone, but smaller. The face does not show terrible impact trauma, but clearly enough force to help flatten the area of the Georgia Dome and the soldier in the motif, as well as cause a slight impact crack. Since the face does not show extreme impact or force trauma, the projectile was obviously traveling at a lower velocity, OR the boxplate was slightly protected (more on that in a moment). Since the patina is consistent, it is clearly an impact from the time of the battle. The impact area around the face appears to be no bigger than the size of a .58 cal. ball or case shot, and certainly no smaller than a .44 cal. pistol ball. Given that I have been a reenactor since 1981, I have spent years in the field like our forefathers before us. This gives me the knowledge and insight to how the soldier's carried their accouterments and gear on the field. Every Confederate soldier had a bedroll of some sort (knapsacks, tents, and all other "luxuries" were nearly extinct in the CS army by November, 1864, so simply rolling-up your blanket and tying the two ends together to make a bedroll was what Johnny did everywhere he went). Since your bayonet, haversack, and canteen were all worn on your left hip, and your cartridge box (by every drill manual and regulation) was worn on the backside on your right, your bedroll can only fit over your right shoulder, being tied together around the back of your left side by the cartridge box. Unless you had a small blanket, it won't fit over the bayonet, haversack, and canteen (and don't forget, you had to march and form in a battleline with shoulder-to-shoulder contact--a bedroll on top of a bayonet, haversack, and canteen would not allow your shoulders to touch the man to your left). Therefore, it makes perfect sense that for a projectile to strike a boxplate, it would probably be somewhat shielded by the bedroll/blanket carried by the soldier. I most confidently believe that this is the case with this plate. A bursting shell spraying low velocity lead balls around .58 cal. in size would easily make this impact exhibited here, especially being blunted slightly by the soldier's bedroll. And the lower velocity strike of a .44 cal. pistol ball could also possibly show this type of impact. Almost every long-time dealer or collector I showed it to concurred with these theories of possible causes for what we see on this plate, as it certainly fits the "evidence".
Regardless of being "bullet-struck" or "case shot-struck" or whatever hit it, it is one beautiful Confederate Georgia boxplate with a story to tell...if only it could. I am sure it will be a treasured addition to a collector out there. Someone will appreciate the history of where this plate was lost on that bloody battlefield, and the Confederate soldier who wore it. I am sure it will bring someone immeasurable collecting pleasure the rest of your life...
LAYAWAY
"Twilight of an Army" indeed....my favorite artist print of Franklin...
Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures
Only-Known-To-Exist Texas Variant Star-Motif 2-Piece Belt Buckle on Original Russet Leather Belt
Measures 43mm by 60mm -- Authenticated by Mike O'Donnell, Most Likely 1830's/1840's Texas Militia Plate (Though Possibly Circa 1860)
Soon To Be Published In Upcoming Mike O'Donnell Book
Those who know me well know I've had this plate since last year, and haven't openly been interested in selling it. Obviously, having a plate that is "one-of-a-kind" will make you want to hang on to it, at least for a little while to savor and enjoy! But since I only focus on Champion Hill related items, I'm ready to let this one go from my personal collection. It is indeed the only one of it's exact style and kind known to exist. Sure, there are several styles out there very similar, and there's a great image of an ID'ed Florida soldier wearing one identical to this, excepting his belt loops are rounded--this one is squared--but no known other excavated or non-excavated specimens exactly like this one are out there. Best of all, this one comes with the original russet leather belt, with the matching-style cast belt adjuster. Our local legendary relic hunter and collector Mr. Jackie Surrett had purchased this plate and other family heirloom pieces from a gentlemen living in the Mississippi Delta many years ago. Among the other family items with the plate were several non-dug T. Miller Texas buttons, so we know it had clear Texas association (and not Mississippi, given that Mississippi sometimes utilized a star motif as well). This piece was authenticated several years ago by Mike O'Donnell in person at the Nashville Show when Jackie presented it to him for review, and Mike photographed it. I will be passing along a signed letter of authentification with the plate from Mike. As he expressed, he shall publish this plate in an upcoming book (more than likely an update to the American Military Plates book). As I always surmised, and Mike confirmed, this plate is almost certainly a true militia plate, dating to the 1830's or 1840's for the Texas Independence movement/Mexican War-era. Mike expressed that obviously it is not out of the realm of possibility of being a circa-1860 made piece, but it just has all the traits expected from smaller local militia plates so popular from that period. It only measures 43mm by 60mm (mated together), and the russet leather belt is only 34mm wide, having a tooled edge. It is a simple but sturdy solid cast-brass construction, having the small belt loops and equal-in-size smooth/plain oval to receive the star-tongue. It's certainly a copy/derivative of the early-style US artillery plate in that regard, and again, is more consistent with plate designs and manufacture of the 1830's and '40's. The belt and the matching belt adjuster on the belt have traces of the original gold gilt that was applied to it. The russet leather belt is not damaged or repaired in any way, and is still quite gorgeous for being 170 +/- years old. It's solidly intact and quite pliable. Has the expected crazing on the surface, but very good in condition. Obviously not being a sword belt, it would have been used by any common soldier. We have little doubt it was worn in the Civil War by the Texas family history with the other personal items (the Texas T. Miller buttons that came with it), but this plate has all the earmarks of being a much earlier plate in origin of manufacture. Though a circa 1860-made Texas plate would command even more in value, I think the historical value of more likely being an 1830's/'40's plate--seeing the days of the Alamo or Mexico City--is a lot more appealing to me.
Hate to see it go...too bad there were no Texas troops at Champion Hill, or I might have talked myself into keeping it! But I know it'll find a good home somewhere. Is there anyone out there who wants a Mike O'Donnell authenticated, future published, only-known variant Texas 2-piece militia plate on original belt?
LAYAWAY
Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures
Outstanding Battlefield Pick-Up/Eyeballed US Boxplate Found at Kolb's Farm Battlefield, Kennesaw Mountain (Georgia)
Late 1800's/Early 1900's Souvenir w/Original ID Tag On Back -- Perfectly Intact Attachment Loops
Wow! How often do you see your battlefield recovered plates look like THIS?! This is a splendid example of the many souvenir's that were being found by locals on the many battlefields across the South, selling them to the many veterans and visitors coming through. We thankfully still have the original old inked ID tag on the back of this beauty, where it had been found upon the battlefield of Kolb's Farm at Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The Battle of Kolb's Farm occurred on June 22, 1864, and was a part of the Kennesaw Mountain operations of CS General Joseph E. Johnston against US General William T. Sherman's advance on Atlanta. As Johnston had most of his army anchored along the Kennesaw Mountain line of fortifications, Sherman kept his flanking movements toward Johnston's left flank in motion. Seeing this, Johnston ordered Hood's corps--in reserve near Marietta--to advance and stop the Federals. The ever-feisty and aggressive Hood not only marched out to anchor Johnston's left flank, but in his usual style, ordered an immediate assault, hoping to find a weak Union right flank and do some damage. US General Hooker's XX corps had received word that Hood was coming, and immediately entrenched to await the oncoming attack. What resulted that day was to be typical of Hood's future command of the entire Confederate Army of Tennessee a few short weeks later: Hood's men attacked with great élan and spirit, but were quickly shot to pieces by superior Federal artillery and firepower. After several hours of combat on the afternoon of June 22nd, the Confederate assault accomplished nothing but heavy casualties--around 1400 men killed, wounded, or captured out of nearly 11,000 men. The Federals lost less than 500--a truly one-sided affair.
Left in it's wake was this gorgeous US boxplate, complete with un-rusted and intact attachment loops, great lead, and the most perfect rich chocolate (and hints of emerald green) facial patina. You can't ask for a better battlefield picked-up/eyeballed specimen, and comes from a historic battlesite...
Sold
Gorgeous Untouched Large-Framed "Fork Tongue" CS Belt Buckle (64mm by 95mm -- Plate 179 in Mullinax)
As you may well have noticed, it has gotten so hard to find these really pretty patina "fork-tongues" these days, especially ones that are truly 100% original, unrepaired, and untouched. This one has the most perfect green/brown soft patina as you'd ever want to find on an excavated specimen. The plate measures 64mm by 95mm, and is plate #179 in Mullinax's CS Belt Buckle book. Has a slight wave to it from the Confederate soldier wearing it long ago, but as you can tell, it displays perfectly. Excellent and yet affordable addition of a very desirable Confederate plate...
Sold
Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures
Non-Excavated British-Style "Snake" Brass Belt Buckle
Classic Style of the Civil War-Era Imported Buckles from Britain
The south imported as many items into their war effort, from cannon to cartridges, rifles to powder, bullets to belts. Among the plates imported from Britain were their classic "snake" belt buckle, referred to as such because of the "S"-shaped animal used as the loop connectors of the two belt loops. Some styles were indeed true "snakes," while others were snakes with duck-heads (like this one), and variants of multiple styles and types. The British military used them, as well as private British makers made them for retail. Then, within the South, there were local makers of these "snake" buckles to boot. A lot of "snakes" around! It is also very true that this British "snake" buckle style continued to be made and utilized throughout her majesty's empire/colonies for many decades after the war. Sadly, many "snake" buckles are being passed for "Civil War," though many were made long afterward. And with so many variations known to exist from the War, it is hard just to determine whether a plate is "period" or not by the size or style alone. Dug specimens are nice, since they tell you it was found within a camp or battle. But non-dug ones abound from many places. This one measures 45mm by 72mm--which is the size of the snake buckle in Mullinax's CS Belt Buckle book, Plate 206 (though a different style). What is nice is that regardless, they are an affordable option for collector's to exemplify one of the South's well-used plates. This one offered here is complete and undamaged, and has a fantastic brass patina. It comes from my good friend Dave Callaway, who had this plate since his first years as a collector in the 1950's, and bought here locally in Mississippi, as he can attest to--so we know it's not a "reproduction"--it is an original. Whether a true Civil War piece, most we will never truly know. But a great original British-style "snake" buckle it is, regardless.
$350
Click On Thumbnails Below For Close-Ups
