Military buckle?

[birdman]

Hi all, just returned from a hunt and I might have found a nice piece of history,not sure. I dug all this stuff at a 1700s home but I did not find any buttons or coppers of the era like I was expecting.
I did get a couple silver quarters 1940 and 1956 but I was wanting something a bit older.
After a couple of so so hours of hunting
I got a good hit about 5 feet from the side of the house and about six inches deep I spied what looked like a nice old military belt plate!

If any one has information on this buckle please let me know what is. Found while on vacation at Cape Cod Mass, not in Florida.

*SOLVED * war of 1812 era buckle issued by Maine
(big thanks to niffler,PBR and texjim for the id)

[trapperart]

Looks like maybe a Texas star, but I can't find anything on it. Nice find and I'm sure someone on here will know. Good luck banner vote in

[birdman]

It has 17 little stars and one big one. Been all over the net,can't find any information.

[Steve in PA]

Definitely a buckle, possibly a militia buckle. Nice find. That will look good in the display.

[birdman]

Thanks Steve, I was thinking that it might be a cadet buckle of some type but that's just a guess.

[Fullstock]

It looks like an early militia buckle of some sort. Very cool find!

[texjim]

It sure is sweet looking.. I sent a pic to my uncle he is a civil war buff. Hope to let you know by tomorrow.

[A2coins]

I love that kind of stuff Great find!!!!

[J.Cache]

Whatever the ID on the buckle turns out to be, it's is a really cool buckle!

[villagenut]

Can't find nothin, but the back loop and paw look a lot like this one. Maybe it will spur someone on to a lead. Very nice buckle though.

Can anyone ID this belt plate I found today? **Update 1850 militia panel plate**

[CRUSADER]

Whatever the ID, pretty sure that buckle will be something special! CONGRATS

[birdman]

Whatever the ID, pretty sure that buckle will be something special! CONGRATS

Thanks much Cru, I have a good feeling about this one.

[texjim]

1820 Maine buckle..

[against the wind]

Congratulations on a really cool find. I would pay for a complete restoration of that buckle. Then I would wear it. Nice save.

[Silver Searcher]

Interesting buckle, this is what I found it might be a start for you. This is associated with flags, but might apply to your buckle as well.

The practice of having one star centered in a circle of stars was well established by 1836, with the large center star normally representing the newest star admitted to the Union. The state represented on this flag would be Arkansas, the 25th state admitted to the United States. This particular flag was presumed to be a naval ensign.

SS