Confederate "Georgia" Frame Buckle - Thick, Heavy Type - Sydney G. Kerksis Collection
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Item: Confederate "Georgia" Frame Buckle - Thick and Heavy Type - Sydney G. Kerksis Collection
Construction: Sand cast brass.
Condition: Very good, excavated, dark patina. Buckle retains its original shape. It is finished on its face but not on its reverse. There is a period flaw in the center bar where it did not completely fuse together during the casting process. Very fine file marks are visible along several edges. There are no cracks, bends, or repairs.
Recovered: February 1956 Manassas, VA (2nd Manassas / Aug. 29, 1862 / Gen. Hood's position)
Approximate size: 61 x 76 mm.
Comments: The "heavy" frame buckle is one of the less common of the "Georgia" frame buckles. According to Mike O'Donnell, co-author of "American Military Belt Plates", these "heavy" Georgia frame buckles were likely manufactured in the Savannah, GA area. Along with its typical crude Confederate construction, is the casting flaw in the center bar which I find to be the most interesting feature of this example. Amazingly, the sturdy nature if this heavy thick buckle prevented the center bar from being bent or broken not only from period use, but also from being in the ground until its recovery 94 years later. Accompanying the buckle is Sydney G. Kerksis' manila envelope which indicates the buckle's recovery location and date, item and item details, and other historical information. At the bottom of the envelope is printed "POS OF HOOD / 29 AUG 62" indicating that the buckle was recovered in the area of General John Bell Hood's position on August 29, 1862. Kerksis was not only a relic hunter but he also authored "Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795-1874" which was one of the first Civil War period reference books which focused on accoutrement plates. This book has been referred to by collectors and historians as the "bible" of buckles and plates. I have included a scan of page 555 from this book which shows a similar example. Also included in the additional images are scans of pages 211, 218, & 220 from "Confederate General Service Accoutrement Plates" by Lon W. Keim, M.D., that describe and picture similar examples including images of use by soldiers. This excavated Confederate "Georgia" frame buckle will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War belt plate or general relic collection.
- Product Code:
- PC6720
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