Posted 10 years ago
whitman75
(349 items)
I'm looking to see if you guys think these are original Civil War Era Buckles. I was told they were dug about 40 years ago and they look original to me the corrosion and patina. Just wanted your thoughts on them and info regarding and rarity.
REPRODUCTION and FANTASY pieces-- NO Doubt!
These are common with little value, EXCEPT when sold to novice collectors as Civil War originals.
scott
This guy wants 100.00 each I'm glad I passed the old sayin if it's to good to be true!!
Glad to hear you passed. If you look at some authentic plates, these will quickly stand out as junk.
Authentic eagle breast plates can often be found for just a little more than these fakes.
scott
great infooooooooooooo..
Scott, do you know a few good web sites or available reference books for identifying fake and original belt plates? I'd like to expand my collecting into belt plates, but am put off by the sheer number of repro pieces out there.
Chris
Plates And Buckles Of The American Military 1795-1874 by Kerksis.
American Military Belt Plates by O'Donnell and Campbell.
I'd recommend that you go to a Civil War show in your area and spend a day looking at and handling real buckles. It will allow you to quickly weed out a lot of the garbage online. I am not sure where you are, but if you give me the city, I can steer you toward the closest show.
I'd also make some of your first buys from reputable dealers.
scott
Scott anywhere in San Diego?
I'll check for you-- wasn't expecting a "left" coast request!
I am very familiar with the Eastern US Shows as I set up at several-- maybe more of an all eras military show in your area.
scott
Scott -
Sorry about the delay in reply - I've been playing catch-up ever since I got my computer back.
I'd heard about Plates And Buckles by Kerksis, and have been hoping to get a less expensive copy on eBay with no luck. I guess sometime you just have to pony up the cash for good reference books.
As for Civil War Shows, and militaria shows in general, there's almost nothing up here in the Pacific Northwest. Mostly I have to satisfy myself with the dozen or so tables at gun shows and discoveries at junk/antique stores.
Now that our "progressive" state government has "closed the gun show loophole" and required background checks on private sales of firearms, I guess we'll see fewer of those too.
Chris