Buckles & Plates
Literally "Museum-Quality" US Waist Belt
From the Gettysburg Shield's Museum Auction!
Lot Number 176, Acquired at the Public Auction of the Shield's Museum Items on November 16th, 1985
Nope--no joke, my friends--this is a REAL Gettysburg relic, AND one coming from the famous Shield's Museum, once it was closed-down and auctioned-off back in 1985. Originally purchased by the original owner, then sold through Mr. Thomas Fultz of the 149th Bucktails/Thomas Fultz Civil War Relics, his notarized letter of sale and authenticity accompanies this piece to the next owner of this beautiful original US arrow-hook, all intact, unrepaired US belt buckle and leather belt. Museum-quality, and GETTYSBURG at that! FOR REAL!!!
$550 Sale Pending
Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures
SWEETEST SNY Puppy-Paw Belt Buckle
Chocolate-Perfection, Early-Dug Patina--Intact Puppy-Paw Studs and Hook
From the Award-Winning Excavated Competition Display Collection of Mr. Claude Maley
Ahhhhh.....(drool coming out the side of my mouth)....not a whole lot to say about this one. It's...ahhh....just about as fine as you'll ever see! No digger's "kiss" from his shovel....no bent or flaking edges....perfect chocolate-brown (like a Hershey Bar!) patina....puppy-paw studs and hook perfect. No damage...no repairs...no hairline cracking....no "monkey-business".
As Forrest Gump would say, "That's all I got to say about that..." I'll let the pictures do the talking for me!
$899 LAYAWAY
EXCELLENT CSA Dug Rectangle Buckle
Early Find From The Historic & Epic Battle of Brice's Crossroads
General Forrest's GREATEST VICTORY and Legendary Battle !!!!
Undamaged, Unrepaired, ALL HOOKS 100% Intact !!!
Plate 095 in Mullinax's 1993 Expanded Edition Buckle Book
Coming from the climactic and most extraordinary Battle of Brice's Crossroads--scene of Forrest's GREATEST ULTIMATE VICTORY in the field (and that's saying a LOT since he kicked butt everywhere he went), this early dug Atlanta Arsenal Plate is a GORGEOUS BEAUTY indeed! The patina is the most pleasing and classic quality you expect from such early-found plates--a mixture of brown and green smoothly over the plate. Not a nick or scratch ANYWHERE, and NO REPAIRS, NO DAMAGE or alterations whatsoever. It measures 49mm by 69mm, being that of Plate 095 in Mullinax's CS Buckle Reference Book (1993 Expanded Edition). ALL of the hooks are 100% INTACT!!!! The main attachment hook is bent at the tip somewhat back on itself--which would explain why the plate fell-off so easily (the hook needs to point INWARD, not outward, or it'll slip right out of the belt hole!)
No apologies to make here. So much beauty and history all in this outstanding Confederate plate worn and lost by one of Forrest's troopers in the ultimate triumphant victory of his career of so many glorious victories on that day, on that field in Northern Mississippi on June 10th, 1864.....
$2298 Sold
Battle Map Of Forrest's Brilliant Fighting And Total Rout of Sturgis, Despite Being Overwhelmingly Outnumbered
Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures
Consignor says, "Let's Get it SOLD!" Price Reduced!
GORGEOUS & HISTORIC CS "Egg Oval" Belt Plate
FULL Historical Provenance, and Digger's Information
EXCLUSIVELY a Plate from one of Brig. General Green's Arkansas Brigade Soldiers
From the Fateful Battle of Port Gibson (MS) May 1st, 1861
Recovered by my friend Don Lackey in 1976
FULL Battle Maps, USGS Topo Maps, and Photographs of where precisely found
NO REPAIRS, Cracking, or Damage (unlike 99.8% of all Egg Ovals you see for sale) Majority of Telegraph Wire Hooks Intact!
This is more than just merely a most gorgeous example of the classic, crude, and simplistic "CS" marked belt buckles....it has an incredible history to tell. Not only does it have the most perfectly beautiful, untouched, rich original "fluorescent forest green" patina that you DROOL over to see, on both the front and back, but it has NOT ONE CRACK...NOT ONE REPAIR...HAS NOT BEEN TO ROBERT McDANIAL for any "alteration" or fixing whatsoever...and has most of the original telegraph wire hooks intact. And it gets better: my very good local friend from Raymond, Mississippi has the FULL documentation of the provenance of this plate he dug--one of many he dug upon the Battle of Port Gibson, Mississippi bloody forests and ravines. Like Champion Hill is to me, so is Port Gibson is to my buddy Don. It is his most sacred and favorite spot in the world (and my 2nd most sacred spot in the world!) Only the VERY ASTUTE historians know about the Battle of Port Gibson--because it was indeed the "beginning of the end" of the South for the entire War. Over the previous months, Grant had tried 6 different operations to either take, bypass altogether, or force the Confederate abandonment of Vicksburg from the protection across the rivers of the mighty Mississippi River, and from the Yazoo River running into the Mississippi. The mighty "Gibraltar of the West"--Vicksburg--bristled with heavy guns...heavy enough to sink and damage enough of Grant's navy and transport ships. His attempt at sending Sherman at the end of 1862 in the Chickasaw Bayou attacks were disastrous, to say the least. Other expeditions up tributaries of the Yazoo were equally for naught, as was the debacle of trying to build a canal cutting across land in the low, Louisiana swampy flat-lands west of Vicksburg. Lincoln made very simple and clear regarding the war and how important Vicksburg was to it's victory or defeat: "Vicksburg is the key...with the key in our pocket, we can open the door to [total] victory...". Grant failed miserably at the previous 6 attempts...but as we all know--his greatest strength was his tenacity despite ALL COSTS of lives or failures. He decided to make an extremely risky run past the deadly guns of Vicksburg, and lower Warrenton, and THEN the bristling fortress at Grand Gulf further south of Vicksburg on the Mississippi River. But after successfully having his navy and transports run the gauntlets, AND his entire army march overland on the western bank of the river on the Louisiana side, by the last days of April 1863, Grant was ready to make THE LARGEST AMPHIBIOUS LANDING OF US ARMED FORCES until D-Day in 1944. Crossing at a small, sleepy town of Bruinsburg, Mississippi, Grant's landings were unopposed...but Pemberton knew that Grant had at least 36,000 men that were crossing somewhere below Grand Gulf, and assumed correctly that Port Gibson would be the perfect place he would head inland to, in order to follow the Natchez Trace/Jackson Road further inland to make his encirclement of Vicksburg. Under a clear and full moon-lit night, just after midnight of May 1st, 1863, the scouts and skirmishers of CS Brig. General Green's Arkansas Brigade made first contact and exchange of gunfire around the Shaifer house on the lower Bruinsburg road. Grant's 36,000 men ran into the tiny "roadblock" of this single brigade of stalwart Arkansans under the moonlight, and both sides began an immediate night attack--both sides bringing up artillery and volley fire against each other for several hours, until the moon had set, and it was too dark (one of the VERY FEW TRUE NIGHT ENGAGEMENTS of the ENTIRE WAR.)
In the soft glow of the rising sun, Grant sent TWO entire DIVISIONS against the 2,000 strong Brigade of Arkansans waiting in battleline long the Magnolia church and ridge, and only 6 cannon (later reduced to 4). Another US Division was sent on a plantation road to the north and ran into CS Brig. Gen'l Tracy's Alabama single Brigade guarding that approach to the upper Bruinsburg Road. What ensued in the cane-choked, knife-like cut ridges, ravines, and rivulets was a nightmarish fight--with the some 4,000 Confederates fending-off 30,000+ Yankees under Grant. After staunch fighting both by Green's Arkansans, and Tracy's Alabamians (Tracy being killed himself), both sides held their ground for HOURS against overwhelming odds against them. Finally, though, the sheer weight, might, and numbers of Yankees broke-through Green's line at Magnolia Church, capturing 2 cannon and many men (most from the 15th and 19th Arkansas). During the fighting, just behind the Magnolia Church ridge, was a small hollow--protected from all gun and cannon fire, where the wounded were being tended to in a make-shift hospital area. THIS IS WHERE THIS PLATE (and other fine relics) WERE FOUND (shown on the many maps and photographs below, by Don Lackey in the latter 1970's). Even a dead Confederate was recovered on the backside of this area, which is THE SOLDIER'S REMAINS that are within the "TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN CONFEDERATE SOLDIER" in Beauvoir--Jeff Davis' home and National museum in Biloxi, MS! Green's men fled back to yet another position to the rear behind a creek, atop a high ridge, and continued to fend-off the relentless Federal assaults. Earlier in the morning, word was quickly sent to Cockrell's Missouri Brigade stationed some 15 miles away and above within Grand Gulf to EVACUATE Grand Gulf, and come at once to stem the Yankee invasion. Cockrell's grand Missourians arrived late in the afternoon--split their forces and battery to both the Arkansans and Alabamians, and thus at most, finally had around 6,000 men to try to stave-off the now 36,000 Yankees under Grant. In the waning light of sunset, the clear and only choice for the profusely outnumbered Confederates was to retreat through the town of Port Gibson, head north toward Vicksburg, and guard the river crossings and await further reinforcement from Pemberton's Army of Mississippi stationed all around the Vicksburg general vicinity.
Now THAT, my friends, is the REAL HISTORY of the Battle of Port Gibson...LARGEST AMPHIBIOUS LANDING of US FORCES until D-Day (Port Gibson is often referred to as the "D-Day of the Civil War"), the valor, determination, and courage of so few Confederates to wholly withstand and clog Grant's advance for 24 hours, despite outnumbered 6-to1.
And left in the quiet hollow used as a hospital station behind the Magnolia Church ridge, some Arkansas wounded, dying soldier from Green's Brigade left this untouched, gorgeous beauty upon the soft sandy soil of Mississippi...in the vain attempt to stop the oncoming horde of Grant's grand invading army overland. The battle of Port Gibson is amongst the truly most PRISTINE--UNTOUCHED battlefields in existence. Go there yourself, and you'll know precisely what I mean. It is today exactly as it was then--and with the Shaifer house still standing. It is one of the most beautiful battlefields--heck, most beautiful natural setting, for that matter--I have ever beheld. When I first came to Mississippi in 2000, I was at Port Gibson on the anniversary date--May 1st--at dusk at the Shaifer house. I turned to my wife and said, "We are going to live in Mississippi...". That is how POWERFUL and BEAUTIFUL the history around here is--and I hadn't even seen my "mecca"--the "holiest of holies" (Champion Hill) yet!
This isn't just "another CS Egg Oval" belt plate....if you have read what I wrote above, then you understand precisely what I mean. You get all the incredible history, documentation, provenance from the digger himself (including pics of him digging there in the 1970's, and modern pics showing precisely where found today, and the many precise maps) with a truly untouched, gorgeous example of this classic Confederate "CS" marked belt plate.
No....it is NOT just "another" CS egg oval belt plate. It is a magnificent, precious, and irreplaceable piece of that history described above...
Sale Pending
Click On Thumbnails Below for More Pictures and Information
KILLER Confederate Roller Buckle Belt Rig w/Pre-War "Root" Colt Revolver & CS/Local Russet Leather Holster
Straight out of Tennessee! Fresh to the Market!
Sure, I wish this Confederate belt and buckle were a Leech & Rigdon, or Noble Brothers "CSA" or whatever...but the most commonly made, issued, and worn Confederate belt and buckle was indeed the simple, utilitarian "roller-buckle" rig. It was born out of the desperate want, lack, and need of materials to be spread out and utilized for all war material. No large, ornate brass/copper plate....no wide leather...just simple iron roller buckle on small leather belt, to conserve their desperate shortage of raw materials on hand. I've only dug one CS plate in my digging career--but dozens upon dozens of roller buckle rigs. They are truly the most "representative", archetypical Confederate waist belt and buckle of the "common soldier"--and they don't cost a fortune to own! But with is is a SWEET, KILLER pre-war .28 caliber (1st model) Colt "Root" revolver--one of the most prized and collectable revolvers on the market today. 100% original, complete, fully-functional, crisp maker's mark, matching serials numbers, no damage, no repairs, and no apologies! A FINE specimen, indeed! But the icing on the cake is the clearly local-made/CS-made russet leather holster made JUST for this Root Revolver and JUST taylor made to fit such a small width Confederate roller buckle rig. Both coming out of Tennessee, they together are FRESH TO THE MARKET! Sorry--no fantastical provenance or history behind them--but they don't need it. Some Confederate utilized these in their desperate fight, hardship, sacrifice, blood, sweat, and tears to defend their home and Cause against their "Yankee invader". The belt is thick, supple, having NO TEARS, NO WEAK SPOTS, and NO REPAIRS WHATSOEVER. Only the expected minor field, combat service wear and "crazing" since it last fought in 1865. The pre-war production Colt Root is supremely GORGEOUS--100% fully-functional, 100% original and complete, having VIVIDLY CRISP maker's mark atop the barrel. The all-matching serial numbers are also clear and fully legible. The weapon has a beautiful "steely" grey patina--that untouched faded blue finish that hasn't been cleaned or touch since 1865! Smooth and slick, with sharp edges to the metal. The original finish is still lovely on the uncracked, unchipped, gorgeous grips! And that holster...my, oh my! How many Colt Root Revolver holsters to you get to see!?!? Let alone a local-made, custom russet leather holster made to fit a roller buckle belt rig!?!?! NO DAMAGE--NO REPAIRS--NO APOLOGIES. ALL RIGHTEOUS.
Not much more to say--just 100% Tennessee Johnny Reb rig that you can actually afford--and know it will be worth double in less than 10 years! A WISE INVESTOR will pounce on this opportunity...and opportunity doesn't knock often, my friends...take a look around other websites--find a CS roller buckle rig (if there are even around for sale) and see the price: they alone sell for $1200 to $1700. THEN look at the prices of FINE Colt Root Revolvers (without the local/CS holster)....$2000+.
You do the math.....how many hundreds--if not $1000 + are you saving with THIS RIG!?!?!
I rest my case...
$2798 SOLD
Johnny Reb--with his Pre-War Root Revolver AND his DOUBLE Roller Buckle Belt Rig.....again....I "rest my case...."
Click On Thumbnails below For More Pictures
Extremely Scarce (RARITY 8) Leech & Rigdon "CS" 2-Piece Buckle
Plate # 050 In Mullinax's CS Reference Book
100% Untouched, Intact, NO REPAIRS, Dug Within Same CS Camp (1863 Winter Camps, Duck River)
Being one of the scarcest CS 2-piece buckles found, these are exclusively Western Theater/Army of Tennessee-found plates, and is believed by Steve Mullinax (and other authorities of CS plates) to be a product of the famous Leech & Rigdon Company (originally the Memphis Novelty Works when the war broke-out, but quickly had to "move", given that Memphis fell in early 1862! And Leech & Rigdon had to keep moving their operations into northern Mississippi, THEN avoid the advancing Yankees yet again, and moved into Alabama, and possibly later into Georgia.....always on the move ahead of the Yankees!). This plate is plate number 050 in Mullinax's CS plate reference book (1993 expanded edition) and was physically "blessed" by Mullinax himself at show! Nothing better than the official "blessing" from the "king of Confederate plates" himself! Dug decades ago from within the 1862/1863 Army of Tennessee Winter Camps along the Duck River/Tullahoma cantonment, this rare beauty may now be yours. They are in excellent, untouched, perfectly-fitting condition, with absolutely NO REPAIRS, NO CHEMICAL CLEANING, and NO "monkey-business". Priced like a common "Virginia-style" or other "run-of-the-mill" CS 2-piece buckle, you can get a superior, very fine example of one of the scarcer CS plates ever made....and a better specimen (condition-wise) than the one pictured in the book!
$2750 SOLD
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SWEET Excavated CS "Clip Corner" Buckle
Complete with Hooks!
What I wouldn't do or give to be so blessed and fortunate enough to go digging one day...and find THIS staring back at me from the hole in the ground! This is a fantastic example of the extremely desirable, collectable, and rarer CS "Clip Corner" Confederate belt buckle, being Plate # 125 in Mullinax's 1993 Expanded Edition CS belt buckle reference book. It measures 45mm by 72mm, and is the classic, rarity 9, sand-casted brass (with high copper content) plate. It has all three hooks! Two are full-length, and the third has the end curl missing--which is probably why it fell off the Johnny who was wearing it. being dug from the historic Battle of Stones River back in the late 1980's, and having been inspected and "blessed" by all the experts at the Nashville Show, this little gem can REALLY tell some history...
Can you find one this pretty, this complete, and this CHEAP anywhere else??? Good luck! They used to sell for $3900+ not just 2 years ago.
SOLD
GORGEOUS Leech & Rigdon "CS" 2-Piece Plate
100% INTACT & UNTOUCHED--NO REPAIRS
Plate 036 in Mullinax (55mm Tongue, by 82mm Wide, 44mm Wreath Height)
Rarity 7 Plate Per Mullinax
Ah yes...yet another relic that I hold "close to my heart...", given that the only CS plate I've ever dug was one of these! Your classic Western Theater 2-piece "CS" belt buckle, made by the famous Leech & Rigdon Company (originally "Memphis Novelty Works"....but has to get the heck out of Memphis pretty quick in the war!) This specimen is 100% UNTOUCHED, UNREPAIRED, INTACT, and NO-MONKEY-BUSINESS. You can see all the splendid, rough sand-casting detail all over this piece, including the sand "inclusions" from the wet-sand casting process, the mold sprue on the back of the wreath flat part of the plate, as well as on the backside of the "CS" tongue. And it's actually priced in "real world" pricing, too! No more $3000+ prices--those days of peak, top-dollar pricing days for CS plates are gone for now. So here's your chance to get one you can invest in--knowing that it soon WILL be worth and sell for $3000+--and enjoy all the "righteous" beauty of it in the meantime!
LAYAWAY $2299
Non-Dug British "Snake" Brass Belt Buckle
The 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 in Georgia, who bought it from a local antique shop in north-central Georgia. Whether a true Civil War piece, most we will never truly know. But a great original British-style "snake" buckle it is, regardless.
$298
Click On Thumbnails Below For Close-Ups
FINEST of the FINE Dug CS "Clip Corner" Buckle
Considered One of the Best--if not THE BEST--Excavated Specimen in Existence
"End-of-the-road FINE," as Larry Hicklen is oft to say. Absolutely PERFECT excavated specimen of the "Clip Corner CS" waist belt plate, and literally comes with letters of authenticity and blessings from just about every recognized authority in the arena of CS plates (Steve Mullinax, Nick Peruit, Terry Hammonds, Jack Melton, Tom Hays---you name it). All who have seen it--beheld it--agree: super-fine, and absolutely "righteous". Complete with all original (and full-length hooks), undamaged, unrepaired, and 100% UNTOUCHED--NO MONKEY BUSINESS. No "funky cold patina". No secret repairs. None of that here, my friends. All-original and untouched as the day it came out of the ground. Essentially 100% original enamel intact!!! The most excellent field-green patina on the "CS" lettering, and the edging--perfectly framing the coloration and contrast of the brass with the black enameling. Being similar to plate 130 in Mullinax's 1993 latest edition of CS plates reference book, it is even BETTER than the specimen pictured in the book! Being a Western Theater plate, these are extremely desirable, collectable, and scarce (regardless of the condition).
None finer. No need to EVER upgrade. Stunning collector's grade--and indeed "museum-quality" specimen.
$4600 SOLD
Nearly Flawless Dug Atlanta Arsenal CSA Rectangle Belt Buckle
Complete w/All Three Original Hooks--Entirely Untouched, Unrepaired
With one of the finest displaying faces I've ever seen on an excavated specimen, this is truly a "minty" example of the thicker Atlanta Arsenal "CSA" rectangle cast-brass waist belt buckle. Measuring 48mm by 68mm, this is plate number 087 in Steve Mullinax's CS belt buckle reference book. The classic Atlanta Arsenal traits of being much thicker are ever-present, right down to the thicker hooks. All three original hooks are solidly intact, and this plate has NOT in any way, shape, or form been altered, chemically cleaned or treated, or "monkeyed" with in any way (getting hard to find a "righteous" CS plate these days). This one displays facially so fine that there is essentially no scaling or oxidation, other than the smooth, rich, hard greenish-brown patina. The body curve is absolutely splendid. All of the crisp detail of the lettering and periods are crisp and clear--almost to the day it was made and finished from the mold. It is THAT good. No distant, dark, small, or blurry pictures here to hide imperfections like you see with other plates for sale out there sometimes. The natural beauty of these one shines through in full glory. You can seen the finishing marks vividly, and even the inclusions of sand from the wet sand casting process by which it was made. Being dug from within one of Longstreet's winter 1863/1864 camps in very east Tennessee, this plate was sold by Terry Hammonds last year. And for a premium price, given the quality.
My buddy hates to let this beauty go, but times ain't like they used to be. Someone can get one of the finest displaying CSA rectangles for a lot less than what my buddy paid....
SOLD
Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures
Stunningly MINT Condition, Very Rare Excavated Georgia 2-Piece Officer's Buckle
Plate 232 in Mullinax's CS Belt Buckle Reference Book
It doesn't get any better than this for excavated specimens, my friends. This is the outstandingly rare and spectacular quality excavated example of the Georgia 1860 or early-war made 2-piece brass officer's buckle that can not be topped. Truly "collector's grade" and "museum-quality". It is plate 232 in Mullinax's book, measuring 49mm by 81mm. It has the most perfect, untouched patina that is the deepest, richest chocolate-brown appearance over the entire plate. The crisp features of the plate abound, with excellent clarity of all detail, from the GA state seal, the oak-leaves along the wreath, and the vines upon the belt loops. The typical casting flaws can be seen--which is fantastic, since it only proves it's authenticity as testimony to the cruder casting qualities of southern foundries. Dug together, they are perfect mates that fit snug and clearly were together since the day they were casted. No repairs, no alterations, and no monkey-business. Essentially free of any ground action whatsoever, as you can see. Untouched and "righteous". Coming from my very good Georgia buddy's personal collection which has just come to market, this stunningly rare beauty can now be yours.
Not much more to say...I'll let the pictures do the talking. No need to ever upgrade.
SOLD
Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures
Supremely Rare "US" To "CS" Soldier Conversion Buckle
Excavated In Lee's ANV Camp During The Sharpsburg/Maryland Campaign
Complete w/All Hooks (Puppy-Paw Style) -- Plate 073 in Mullinax's CS Plate Book
Let us begin the "parade" of Confederate buckles with this unique and scarce beauty: a standard US "Puppy-Paw" complete waist belt plate that a Confederate soldier or possibly a small workshop altered by hand to craftily form a "C" out of the existing "U" in the face of the plate. This alteration has been noted in about a dozen excavated specimens, from Virginia all the way to Arkansas. But boy, are they RARE to ever see! It is noted as Plate 073 in Mullinax's watershed Confederate belt buckle reference book. It was purchased by my very good friend in Georgia last year from Matt Lockhard (CV Relics), and now is coming back onto the market. Better not wait too long on this one. How many chances to you ever get to have one as rare, beautiful, and complete as this (this specimen is better than the one Mullinax had to picture in his reference book! Just look at that gorgeous pea-green patina!)
SOLD
Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures
Excellent Rare "Atlanta Arsenal" CSA Rectangle Buckle Variant, Hooks Intact
Unusual "S" Casting Mold Flaw, with Irregular-Shaped Periods
Coming From the Massively Award-Winning "Southrons" Collection of Dennis Headlee
Dug in North Arkansas in 2003
Here's a superb excavated scarce variation example of the classic "Atlanta Arsenal" thick "CSA Rectangle" solid-cast belt buckle. Not only does it have a gorgeous field-green facial patina, but all three hooks are fully and solidly intact upon the back. Absolutely NO repairs or monkey-business with this one. And it shows, since it came directly from Dennis Headlee, co-owner of the overwhelming "Best Of Show" award-winning "Southrons" display he and Pat Booth own and showcase for competition at all the major shows in the past 10 years. If you've been to Nashville, Richmond, Dalton, etc, in the past 10 years, you've seen this display, and the reason why it always wins "best of show". It's the eight 8-foot tables of faux terrain loaded with uniforms, guns, shells, buttons, flags, plates images, etc, both dug and non-dug. This CSA was actually dug rather recently by one of Dennis' friends, at a battlesite in northern Arkansas in 2003. What's so cool about the plate is that it is a very unique variant with the casting mold void/flaw within the upper curve of the "S". As pictured and noted in Steve Mullinax's grand "bible" of CS plates, there are noted specimens identical to this with the same flaw/void in the "C". This one is in the "S"! And the misshapen periods, such as the one by the "C" and "S" on this plate, are also seen variants. Being produced and issued by the many thousands in 1863-1864, this strictly Western Theater style much thicker CSA rectangle plate is believed to have been produced at many sites in Georgia, and possibly Alabama. We know the Atlanta Arsenal made some,, but certainly there is little doubt smaller sub-contractor shops near there, and in the massive works around Columbus, Georgia certainly produced these as well. Measuring the classic 48mm by 68mm (just like Plate 097 in Mullinax with the "C" casting void), this plate is so cool, beautiful, unique, and from a Trans-Mississippi site at that! No repairs--no chemical patina--no worries (unlike the others you will find along the way.)
Priced well below market value these days. No need to pay $3000+ for a "run-of-the-mill" specimen. Get one with all the cool and rare variance, Arkansas history, and award-winning pedigree!
SOLD
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
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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...
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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...
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