🥇 BANNER Yesssssssssss!

[umrgolf]

(found out this buckle is a rarity 8, meaning there are 16-30 known)

I have always wanted to dig a CS buckle of any type, and today I was able to cross it off the list!!

I hadn't been out in a couple weeks so I decided to head out this morning for a few hours. I went back to the spot where I found the 1851 Officer's sword belt buckle and sabre guard last month, and not 10 minutes into today's hunt, I found a pulltab LOL. And then, two feet away I scored the buckle. I immediately called a few buddies and was almost so excited I couldn't speak.

Honest to God, when I first dug it I thought it said "08"... I had never seen this style buckle so I knocked off a little dirt off and when I realized what I was looking at, I was absolutely floored. In my area there was VERY LITTLE confederate activity so this is a very significant find. I would almost have to believe this was a battlefield pickup that was carried back by a Union soldier. Unfortunately the loop broke into 2 pieces as I was pulling it from the rock hard dirt. I will be sending it off to get repaired next week!

The buckle was identified by my good friend, Josh (Sentinel) as a LEECH & RIGDON CS tongue produced in Memphis, TN. Thanks for looking!
The last 2 photos are General Nathan Bedford Forrest wearing a tongue and wreath buckle made by the same company

*buckle was selected for W&E Treasures annual best finds

 

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[Breezie]

Now, that is what I'm talkin' about! Way to go on a GREAT BANNER find! Breezie

 

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[chrisplay2004]

Glad to see you make Banner!
Really a great find...

 

[GaRebel1861]

Banner! Good going & nice to see up there.

 

[Deepdiger60]

Rare find !! good hunt Jim

 

[Valley Ranger]

Congratulations!!!

 

[bookfisher]

A big congrats on your first Confederate Buckle! That's the beauty of our hobby, when you least expect it - bam! a terrific banner find!

 

[MonkeyBoy]

Outstanding find!!! Good to see them still coming out of the ground!!

MB

 

[got2dig]

Nice, Hate the part about the hard dirt.

 

[Michigander Dan]

Simply outstanding, congrats on the Banner find.

 

[umrgolf]

A big congrats on your first Confederate Buckle! That's the beauty of our hobby, when you least expect it - bam! a terrific banner find!

First, Thank you ALL for the comments and banner nominations. It has been selected for the W&E annual Best Finds issue, so keep an eye open for it if you're a subscriber.

Isn't that the truth, bookfisher.. The first thing on my list was right in my hometown, a Union stronghold during the war. You honestly NEVER know whats under your coil.

 

[JDug]

Great find ! This is why we do what we do..

 

[cz3djoe]

Seeing people make finds like this keeps my hopes up. Thanks for posting.

 

[gypsybandit]

Man you ARE in buckle country ... keep diggin' .. great find...

 

[got2dig]

This has got me up and ready, got a spot I'll try about 7pm, got my XLT on stand by.

 

[umrgolf]

This has got me up and ready, got a spot I'll try about 7pm, got my XLT on stand by.

Good luck, hope you snag one just like it.. would be nice to see somebody in TN find one close to home

 

[Hill Billy]

Hey Jeff , I don't get on here much or reply to many posts anymore, but I just saw this and want to congratulate you.
Sweet find!

HB

 

[BuckleBoy]

Hey Friend,

I haven't been on Tnet since you posted this. That is one KILLER find! Still on my list after 20 years in the greatest hobby in the world.

I tried to call you and congratulate you in person yesterday after I saw this, and am wondering if your phone number has changed. At any rate, give a ring or drop a line sometime.

Cheers,


Buckles

 

[umrgolf]

Hey Friend,

I haven't been on Tnet since you posted this. That is one KILLER find! Still on my list after 20 years in the greatest hobby in the world.

I tried to call you and congratulate you in person yesterday after I saw this, and am wondering if your phone number has changed. At any rate, give a ring or drop a line sometime.

Cheers,


Buckles

Thanks, Will. I changed it to a Missouri number when I moved back home. I'll send it to you now.

 

[SC Keith]

Congrats on your superb CS buckle Jeff! most of us still dream of finding a CS buckle!

 

[Tnmountains]

Nice find umrgolf. That is an exciting find and all the way from Memphis. I wonder how many miles that ole buckle traveled and imagine the stories it heard around the campfires from both sides. May have been a soldier fighting for the South and returning home to the North. Strange way things happened back then. Hope you keep it.