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US Cartridge Box Plate Field Conversion to Waist Belt Buckle

Item: US Cartridge Box Plate Field Conversion to Waist Belt Buckle
Use: Cartridge box plates were displayed on the outer flap of the soldier's cartridge box. Not only ornamental but more practically used as a weight to keep the cartridge box flap closed to prevent cartridge loss. See the additional images in this listing for an image showing its use.
Construction: Stamped thin sheet brass with solder fill and iron attachment loops.
Condition: Very good, excavated, iron attachment loops present. Its brass front, with its raised tall letters "US", has an even rich brown patina. There is a period dent under the letter "U" along with three holes in the body to the left of the "U". The rim is complete with a few mild bends. The majority of the solder on the rear is present and solid, with some loss primarily in the area of the rim. Its iron attachment loops are present and solid. Tightly secured under each loop is a brass belt adjuster which, along with the three holes, was added for the plate's conversion to a waist belt plate. Though the plate was field altered, there no cracks or repairs. See more on the plate's conversion below in the Comments section.
Recovered: Confederate Infantry campsite near Shelbyville, TN.
Approximate size: 57 x 87 mm.
Reference: Several examples of cartridge box plate conversions to buckles, and other belt plate alterations, are found in the following Civil War relic reference books:

• "Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of The Civil War" by Stanley S. Phillips, page 26, 28, 32, 38 & 52.
• "Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of the Civil War 1861-1865 with Supplement" by Stanley S. Phillips, page 8, 23, 26 & 29.
• "Civil War Artifacts" by Howard Crouch, page 213.

See above page in additional images.

Comments: This cartridge box plate was ingeniously re-engineered to be used as a waist belt buckle. Holes were made in one end so that it could be fastened to a leather belt. A brass belt adjuster from a leather belt was secured under the box plate's two wire loops to serve as the buckle's main front hook.  Based on this plate's recovery location the digger surmised that this plate was converted by a Confederate soldier (worn upside down, of course!). The identity of the digger, along with a more specific recovery location, will be included in the documentation that accompanies this plate. This US cartridge box plate conversion to waist belt plate will be an excellent addition to any excavated plate or general relic collection.

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Product Code:

PC110

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Price:

$390.00

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