Pewter Waist Belt Plate ca. 1830 - Published in Three Reference Books
SALE PENDING
Item: Pewter Waist Belt Plate ca. 1830 - Published in Three Reference Books
Construction: Cast pewter, brass studs and washers.
Condition: Very good, excavated. The plate has a soiled grey patina. There is a small shallow chip in the lower center front surface measuring approximately 6-mm in length. The rim has minor wear and inward rim bending as expected from use. All three belt attachment hooks are present. There are no breaks or cracks.
Recovered: Winter camp of 1st Arkansas near Shelbyville, TN by Larry Hicklen. (see Comments section below)
Approximate size: 57 x 83 mm.
Reference: This plate IS THE EXAMPLE pictured in the following buckle and belt plate reference books:
- "Confederate General Service Accoutrement Plates" by Lon W. Keim, M.D., page 31, figure 13. (published 1987) *
- "American Military Belt Plates" by Michael J. O'Donnell and J. Duncan Campbell, on page 62, Plate 87. (published 1996)
- "Civil War Artifacts of the Western Campaigns" by Charles S. Harris, page 115. (published 1987)
See above pages in additional images.
(Copies of these books may also be available for sale to accompany this plate, contact me for availability and price.)
Comments: The belt plate was acquired by Virginia Relics directly from a collector who purchased it from the digger, Larry Hicklen, over four decades ago. In a conversation with Larry regarding its recovery, he explained that it was his early research at the Tennessee State Archives that ultimately led to the recovery of this plate. During this research, he stumbled upon lawsuits brought by landowners against the government just after the war. The landowners were suing for compensation for the destruction of timberland for war use purposes. The information therein led him to believe that campsites likely existed in those areas, and they most certainly did as he uncovered a treasure trove of relics there. Virginia Relics is honored to offer this rare and unusual belt plate.
See a side-by-side comparison of this plate and its picture in the above-mentioned book in the additional images. There is something very special about owning the example in the book that other collectors refer to and admire. This published plate will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War plate, buckle, or general relic collection.
*The recovery site mentioned in Keim's "Confederate General Service Accoutrement Plates" is incorrect. During my conversation with Larry, he confirmed that it was recovered in Shelbyville, TN and not Murfreeesboro, TN.
- Product Code:
- PC543
- Price:
- $1,150.00
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