Send the pictures to Harry Ridgeway. He is pretty knowledgeable on civil war stuff. I don't know enough about buckles to say one way or another. I hope it is the real deal. I would also clean the back a little to better show the attachment points. A toothbrush would do the job.
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I see what you are saying. Yeah he still has it in the site collection.I am not saying it is fake. I hope it is real. You said your friend still has it so get it and measure it and look to see if it has been stamped more than once. Just because it may have been double or triple stamped does not make it a fake. If anything, in my mind, it would make it rarer and that much nicer.
There were 9 undamaged lead bullets probably 45 cal in the same dirt. Also some decayed unidentified leather and a small brass buckle I presumed off a horse bridle at the time. Now I'm guessing it was an actual belt buckle and the bullets were in a bag on it.That's one heck of a nice find! If I were you, I'd be back out there with a metal detector. That plate may not be the only civil war relic out there. Good luck.