Misc. Dug Items
Misc. Non-Dug Items
Civil War Buckles
This page last updated January 29, 2012
EMAIL Phone: 804-873-5462
Plez Bagby
PO Box 6425
Charlottesville, VA 22906
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PC4049 Confederate Brass Display This handsome display consists of a Confederate forked tongue frame buckle and a Mississippi infantry button along with a photo copy and description of Private Thomas C. Witherspoon. The buckle and button were both recovered from General Whiting's headquarters in 1980 in Dumfries, VA. This brass buckle is in excellent condition and still retains a significant section of the original leather belt. The front of the buckle was cleaned such that the original brass color would show as was the practice by many diggers of that time. Since this was done several decades ago, a darker patina is in the process of recovering the brass. As you will see from the additional enlargement images, the rear was not cleaned and still retains a very pleasing one hundred year old woodsy green coating. Given this, the buckle displays beautifully from both sides and may easily be adjusted, depending on the preference of its owner. It has no cracks, breaks, unusual bends, or repairs and measures approximately 68 x 100 mm. The Mississippi button, with the "HYDE & GOODRICH . / N-O." back mark, is the coat size measuring approximately 21 mm. It is flawless, with ample gilt beautifully highlighting the letter "I", star, and the letters "MISSISSIPPI". The brass, with its beautiful chocolate brown patina, has no pushes, cracks, breaks, or repairs. Reference Tice: MP215A1, Albert's MP 4. Included with the display is a copy of an image of Private Thomas C. Witherspoon, Company G, "Lamar Rifles." 11th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, Chaplain, 2nd & 42nd Mississippi Infantry Regiments, Army of Northern Virginia, C.S.A. There is no direct connection known between the relics in this display and Private Witherspoon other than the fact that he is in the Mississippi regiments and he is sporting a forked tongue buckle. According to the description, Private Witherspoon was present at the Battle of First Manassas in July 1861 and on August 16 of the same year was transferred to the 2nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment and commissioned as chaplain of the regiment. Sometime after August, 1862, he was assigned as chaplain of the 42nd Mississippi. Witherspoon was present for all the battles fought by the regiment, including Gettysburg, where the regiment sustained the 2nd highest casualties of any Confederate regiment, losing 60 men killed and 205 wounded. The fact that Private Witherspoon was associated with the Mississippi regiments, and is wearing the forked tongue frame buckle, all make for a very well connected display. The wooden frame display box is in excellent condition, is secured with four small screws in the rear and is ready for hanging. The items inside can be easily removed if necessary. This is the first time these relics have been on the market and are direct from digger's family. $1,275.00 Order Information or Questions? SALE PENDING |
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PC3884 US Belt Plate - Baby Size This excavated US belt plate is the rarer small "baby size" pre Civil War example. According to the second edition of O'Donnell and Campbell's "American Military Belt Plates" these were produced beginning 1839 until September of 1844. It was then that the wire hooks were replaced with the stamped brass arrow hooks when complaints were made about the wire hooks breaking while cleaning the buff leather belts. This plate was recovered from Culpeper, VA by a local Virginia relic hunter. The plate's brass face has a green patina and a few rust bumps which is a result of the iron hooks leaching through the solder and brass. As you will see in the enlargement pictures, the wire attachment belt hooks that have deteriorated away. Though this plate is not perfect. it is still a rare find and will make an excellent display piece in any excavated Civil War relic collection. Approx. 42 x 72 mm. $75.00 Order Information or Questions? SALE PENDING |
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PC4044 US Artillery Belt Plate Wreath This US artillery belt plate wreath is in very good condition and is looking for a matching tongue with the letters "US". Though the wreath has a slight inward bend and shows some scars of period use, it is still a very solid and handsome looking relic with its brown patina. Note the three dots on the rear of the belt loop in the enlarged images by clicking on the picture to the left. These dots represented its assembly numbers. The approximate measurements are as follows: Belt loop height is 54 mm. (2.14 inches). Its exterior wreath height is 49 mm. (1.94 inches). The width of the inside border of wreath is 33-35 mm. (1.32 - 1.37 inches). Any tongue disc measuring approximately 33-34 mm. in diameter should fit nicely. End to end measures 63 mm. (2.49 inches). This wreath was recovered over thirty years ago at Chickamauga, TN. and has no cracks, breaks, or repairs. $365.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC2435 US Belt Plate This excavated US belt plate is in excellent condition and was recovered from Wilderness, Va. several decades ago by local relic hunter Henry Foster. The brass face, with its very pleasing brown patina, shows some minor wear but is otherwise perfect without any cracks or breaks. The rear has the "puppy paw" belt attachment hooks solidly in place and a nearly full compliment of solder showing some minor surface flaking in areas around the rim. This belt plate will be an excellent addition to any Civil War plate or general excavated relic collection. Approx. 56 x 89 mm. $295.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC2327 US Belt Plate This US belt plate was excavated in an area near the battle of Chancellorsville in Spotsylvania County, VA., by a local relic hunter. The face has a brown patina with some rim damage at the "S" end. The hooks are solidly attached in the lead fill which is solid and complete with the exception of the one damaged end. The plate has not been repaired and it still exhibits a nice body curve. This US buckle will make an excellent addition to any excavated relic collection. Approx. 55 x 85 mm. $215.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC3957 Confederate Forked Tongue Frame Buckle - Documented This Confederate forked tongue frame buckle is in very good condition and is a documented relic. It is complete and constructed of brass which has aged into a light green patina. Its tongue is present and moves freely. It was recovered in Sterling, VA. on November 27, 1997 in approximately 12 inches of soil underneath what is now a shopping plaza. It is pictured in the 25th Anniversary Issue of the North South Trader's Civil War magazine in the Field Recoveries section on page 18 of Volume XXV number 6. A copy of this article and further details of its recovery are described on the picture enlargement page (click on thumbnail picture to the left to see them). A copy of the magazine picturing this buckle will be included with its purchase. Though the buckle is slightly out of square from general period use, it has no cracks, breaks, or repairs. This Confederate belt buckle will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War belt buckle or general relic collection. Approx. 68 x 99 mm. SOLD |
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PC3864 Carbine Sling Buckle - Double Marked This excavated Federal carbine sling buckle is in very good condition and is direct from the digger. Recovered in New Hope, VA., the brass has a very nice brown patina and is clearly marked "E. GAYLORD. CHICOPEE MASS" and "T. J. SHEPPARD". What is interesting about this buckle is that the tangs were installed incorrectly as the tang flat side should rest on the buckle top and not bottom. One of the tangs is bent but complete, and there are no cracks, breaks, repairs or other significant bends. This fine marked cavalry carbine sling buckle will make an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War cavalry or general relic collection. Approx. 52 x 82 mm. $165.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC3802 US Belt Plate - Baby Size - Documented This excavated brass "baby size" US belt plate, recovered in LaGrange, TN., is in very good condition and is from the recently released Civil War relic collection of longtime Tennessee relic hunter John A. Marks. It is another one of the best documented relics that I have had the opportunity to offer, and it is with great pleasure that I can make it available on this website. Mr. Marks relic hunted over a span 33 years beginning on January 11, 1967 and recovered a copious amount of relics during that time. The meticulous Mr. Marks managed to document each relic he recovered by marking it with its date of recovery and his letter and number code indicating area of recovery. Many of the relics Mr. Marks pulled out of the ground were pristine in condition. Mr. Marks passed away on March 13, 2000 but what he left the Civil War relic collecting community, as well as Civil War historians, will be forever appreciated. DESCRIPTION: The front of this thinly leaded US belt plate has a smooth surface with an even dark brown patina. Looking closely, I was able to detect a freeze crack in the brass under the "S" and a small break at the rim at the 11 o'clock position. The rear has the belt attachment hooks imbedded in the remaining solder, some of which has flaked away but is now stable. Also on the rear, on the brass arrow hook and on the solder is the date of "10-2-75" and his more exact recovery location code of "LG+10" with the "LG" indicating LaGrange and the "+10" indicating a more specific area of LaGrange where this fine relic was recovered. The small piece of masking tape with letters cannot be explained but may represent more of Mr. Mark's recovery information. Mr. Marks included this find in his first journal which is dated "11 Jan. 1967 to 24 Oct. 1983". In the picture enlargements of this piece, I have included a copy the page from his journal that includes the entry he made for this particular find on 10-2-75. A copy of this page, along with a copy of the North South Trader article titled "The Way It Was" by John A. Marks will be included with this relic. Click the preceding link to read the article now. This very nice baby size belt plate will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War belt plate or general relic collection. Approx. 49 x 66 mm. $450.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC3799 US Sword Belt Plate and Keeper This excavated sword belt plate and keeper, recovered in Germantown, TN., is in very good condition and is from the recently released Civil War relic collection of longtime Tennessee relic hunter John A. Marks. It is another one of the best documented relics that I have had the opportunity to offer, and it is with great pleasure that I can make it available on this website. Mr. Marks relic hunted over a span 33 years beginning on January 11, 1967 and recovered a copious amount of relics during that time. The meticulous Mr. Marks managed to document each relic he recovered by marking it with its date of recovery and his letter and number code indicating area of recovery. Many of the relics Mr. Marks pulled out of the ground were pristine in condition. Mr. Marks passed away on March 13, 2000 but what he left the Civil War relic collecting community, as well as Civil War historians, will be forever appreciated. DESCRIPTION: The front of this sword belt plate has a moderately even dark brown patina and shows an eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows in its talons. There are traces of solder surrounding a portion of the eagle where the applied nickel-silver wreath once was attached. The rear, with tongue in place and complete belt attachment loop, is in excellent condition exhibiting the same even brown patina. Also on the rear is the date of "12-2-76" and his more exact recovery location code of "GT+4N" with the "GT" indicating Germantown and the "+4N" indicating a more specific area of Germantown where this fine relic was recovered. The keeper, also recovered from the same location but on a different date as indicated from the Mr. Mark's lettering on its reverse as "GT+4N 11-30-79" , is in excellent condition, has a matching patina and appears to me to be perfect match with the plate. This plate has some slight bending from period general wear and tear but overall has no cracks, breaks, or repairs. It is indeed a very nice excavated example. Mr. Marks included this find in his first journal which is dated "11 Jan. 1967 to 24 Oct. 1983". In the picture enlargements of this piece, I have included a copy the page from his journal that includes the entry he made for the buckle on 12-2-76 as well as a copy of the page where he made an entry for the keeper recovered on 11-30-79. A copy of these pages, along with a copy of the North South Trader article titled "The Way It Was" by John A. Marks will be included with this relic. Click the preceding link to read the article now. This very nice belt plate will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War belt plate or general relic collection. Approx. 51 x 81 mm. with length measured at corners without keeper. $365.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC3797 US Belt Plate - Baby Size This excavated US "baby size" belt plate, recovered in the Shiloh to Corinth area, is in very good condition and is from the recently released Civil War relic collection of longtime Tennessee relic hunter John A. Marks. It is another one of the best documented relics that I have had the opportunity to offer, and it is with great pleasure that I can make it available on this website. Mr. Marks relic hunted over a span 33 years beginning on January 11, 1967 and recovered a copious amount of relics during that time. The meticulous Mr. Marks managed to document each relic he recovered by marking it with its date of recovery and his letter and number code indicating area of recovery. Many of the relics Mr. Marks pulled out of the ground were pristine in condition. Mr. Marks passed away on March 13, 2000 but what he left the Civil War relic collecting community, as well as Civil War historians, will be forever appreciated. DESCRIPTION: The front of this belt plate has a brown patina and shows the bold "US" letters. There is a slight inward bend from general period use in the rim a the "U" end. At the ten o'clock position, the upper left of the "U" about 12 mm section of the rim is missing but I do not consider this to directly affect the appearance of this plate as it is hardly noticeable from the front. The rear is in good condition with some surface flaking of the solder back. Both brass belt attachment hooks are present along with Mr. Marks' recovery date of "1-7-83" and his location code of "SLC+9" with the "SLC" indicating the Shiloh to Corinth area and the "+9" indicating a more specific area of Shiloh to Corinth where this fine relic was recovered. Mr. Marks included this find in his first journal which is dated "11 Jan. 1967 to 24 Oct. 1983". In the picture enlargements of this piece, I have included a copy the page from his journal that includes the entry he made for this particular find on 1-7-83. A copy of this page, along with a copy of the North South Trader article titled "The Way It Was" by John A. Marks will be included with this relic. Click the preceding link to read the article now. This very nice belt plate will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War belt plate or general relic collection. Approx. 40 x 69 mm. $495.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC3807 Small Oval Belt Plate This excavated brass small oval belt plate, recovered in Abbeville, Mississippi, is in very good condition and is from the recently released Civil War relic collection of longtime Tennessee relic hunter John A. Marks. It is another one of the best documented relics that I have had the opportunity to offer, and it is with great pleasure that I can make it available on this website. Mr. Marks relic hunted over a span 33 years beginning on January 11, 1967 and recovered a copious amount of relics during that time. The meticulous Mr. Marks managed to document each relic he recovered by marking it with its date of recovery and his letter and number code indicating area of recovery. Many of the relics Mr. Marks pulled out of the ground were pristine in condition. Mr. Marks passed away on March 13, 2000 but what he left the Civil War relic collecting community, as well as Civil War historians, will be forever appreciated. DESCRIPTION: The front of this small oval sheet brass belt plate has a brown patina with a couple of greenish areas. The rear shows the remnants of the solder that once held the frog style belt attachment hooks. Also on the rear is the date of "11-11-87" and his more exact recovery location code of "AV+7" with the "AV" indicating Abbeville and the "+7" indicating a more specific area of Abbeville where this fine relic was recovered. Mr. Marks included this find in one of his journals used to record his finds. In the picture enlargements of this piece, I have included a copy the page from his journal that includes the entry he made for this particular find on 11-11-87. A copy of this page, along with a copy of the North South Trader article titled "The Way It Was" by John A. Marks will be included with this relic. Click the preceding link to read the article now. This very nice belt plate will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War belt plate or general relic collection. Approx. 1.7 x 2.4 inches. $295.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC3423 US Belt Plate This excavated US belt plate is in very good condition and was recovered in Caroline County, VA. Its brass face has a very nice even chocolate brown patina and, with the exception of some general wear and tear from period use, is nearly flawless. The letter "US" are the long tall style often associated with belt and cartridge box plates manufactured by H. A. Dingee. The rear solder is nearly complete with some surface pitting and chipping. All three brass attachment hooks are secure and in place and the face of this plate has no cracks, breaks or brass showing. The body of the plate and its rim shows minor bending from period use. There are no repairs and this plate will make for an excellent display piece. Approx. 56 x 89 mm. $215.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC3317 US Sword Belt Plate This non-excavated US sword belt plate is in very good condition and is numbered "343". This example is cast brass with integral eagle motif and tongue and applied nickel-silver wreath. According to O'Donnell and Campbell's buckle reference book "American Military Belt Plates" (also available here) these late war plates combined the shorter wreath and 2.2 inch width adopted in November 1861. On this example the wreath, though solidly attached, has a few minor holes, that appear to be from general use (or possible manufacturing flaws), between the bottom center and the near the top portion adjacent to the eagles left wing. These wreaths were delicate when they were originally applied and it is surprising that they have lasted as long as they actually have. Most excavated examples are recovered without the wreath. The rear, with its benchmark number of "343", is in good condition with the tongue present. The plate has a very nice body curve and will make an excellent addition to any Civil War belt plate or general relic collection. $350.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC3341 US Belt Plate This US belt plate is in in very good condition and was recovered in the 1970's in Stafford County, VA. The digger, like many others, cleaned up the brass front which, after 3 decades has nicely aged into a dull brass patina. The lettering and size of this plate indicate that it was produced by Emerson Gaylord but is not marked as such. This example may have been the style that once had a leather backing which may have had the "E. GAYLORD" stamping. The rear of the plate has a nearly full compliment of lead/solder and brass stud hooks. In the 10 o'clock position at the rim on the front of the plate is a very small break. The plate has no other breaks, no cracks, bends or repairs. This very handsome plate will make an excellent addition to any Civil War plate or general relic collection. Approx. 54 x 84 mm. SOLD |
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PC3088 US Belt Plate - Rare Medium Size This excavated medium size US belt plate is a rare find. Large size US belt plates typically measure around 55 x 86 mm. with the small size plates measuring around 40 x 71 mm. The medium size plates measure around 46 x 77 mm. Taking the rim damage into account, this example would have measured approximately that size. With its rim damage, it measures approximately 41 x 71 mm. The smaller size puppy paw hook arrangement on the rear also indicates that this is indeed the medium style plate and not a large style US plate. Small size plates did not use puppy paw style hooks. The brass face is very attractive with its nice even light green patina. All three attachment hooks are solidly present with one stud out of place. The lead is solid with some loss at the areas of missing rim. An example of this plate with the same letter style and size can be found in the second edition of O'Donnell and Campbell's "American Military Belt Plates", as plate 514 on page 318. This relic was excavated, with permission, at Harrison's Landing in Charles City County, VA., by Gene Cooley. Mr. Cooley is in his late 80's and still relic hunts today. To read more about Mr. Cooley please click here. $195.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC2995 Sword Belt Plate An excellent example of an 1851 pattern sword belt plate excavated in Spotsylvania County, VA. This buckle has a great excavated look and is in very good condition. This particular plate has a benchmark number of "657" stamped to the left of the attachment tongue on the rear. Not all sword belt plates are recovered with benchmark numbers. It has an overall nice overall even brown patina that still has a very light dusting of soil remaining in a few areas highlighting the eagle and its rays. The buckle no longer has the nickel-silver wreath that once surrounded the eagle and is missing, most likely, due to ground action. Looking closely, the unblemished detail of the eagle is outstanding and the plate has no digger marks at all. The rear condition is as same as the front and the attachment hook is solid and perfectly in place. This plate is a stunning example that has no cracks, breaks, bends or repairs. A similar example of this plate can be found in the second edition of O'Donnell and Campbell's "American Military Belt Plates", as plate 663 on page 400. Approx. 55 x 88 mm. $325.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC503 US Carbine Sling Buckle - Maker & Inspector Marked This excavated Union carbine sling buckle is double marked with the manufacturer's stamping of "E. GAYLORD CHICOPEE" and inspector mark of "T.J. SHEPPARD". When stamped, it appears that the "E. GAYLORD" portion of the mark did not get a clean strike near the edge on the outer bar and, therefore, does not show up as well as the rest, but it is indeed there. The buckle has a very handsome even brown patina with no brass showing through. Both keepers along the inner bar move freely and there are no cracks, breaks, bends, or repairs. This marked buckle will make an excellent addition to any Civil War buckle or general relic collection. Approx. 51 x 83 mm. SOLD |
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PC1241 US "Puppy Paw" Belt Plate This US belt plate, with the "puppy paw" style attachment hooks, is a top quality example. Excavated from a campsite in central Virginia its face has a very pleasing chocolate brown patina which shows some minor period use. The plate is in near perfect condition with full smooth lead and all three attachment hooks solidly attached and in place. This plate has no cracks, breaks, bends or repairs. This plate is an top notch excavated example and will make for an outstanding piece for any Civil War relic collection. Approx. 54 x 86 mm. $315.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC1190 US Belt Plate Marked "W H Smith Brooklyn" Non-Excavated This maker marked non-excavated US belt plate with the "puppy paw" style attachment is an absolutely beautiful piece. The plate does show definite wear and tear indicating that it was in use for some time. The brass face has a very pleasing aged brass "attic" patina and is without cracks or breaks. The rear has full lead with the make mark of "WH SMITH BROOKLYN" which has been high lighted with baby powder to show that all letters of the mark are visible. This plate has not been repaired and all three attachment hooks are solidly in place. This plate is a very nice non-excavated maker marked belt plate and will make for an excellent addition to any collection. Approx. 53 x 85 mm. $495.00 Ordering Information or Questions? |
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PC1002 US "Puppy Paw" Belt Plate This US belt plate with the "puppy paw" style attachment hooks has that just dug look. This plate is actually out of a 20 year old private collection of relics and was excavated in the Richmond, VA area. The plate is in near perfect condition with only one flaw. Located at the 2 o'clock position is a slight nick in the rim where most likely it was struck by the digger's tool. The brass face of the plate with areas still soil covered has a light yellow brown appearance. The rear lead is smooth and complete with all attachment hooks present. This plate has no cracks, no breaks (other than the nick mentioned above) and no bends or repairs. This plate is a very nice looking "definitely dug" example. Approx. 54 x 85 mm. $335.00 Order Information or Questions? |
