CW sword belt plate? Found in Maine, need help to confirm.

[dumpdigger68]

Today I detected a small patch of woods behind a school, within 5 miles of Bangor. Lots of old junk metal and broken glass around . Detected a footpath with few targets until out of the blue I got a nice higher tone signal. I started digging through nice crumbly black soil, about 6" down I felt my trowel hit something flat , thinking a rock or junk metal I found an edge and lifted. I pulled it up and could see the back of a buckle, turned it over and there was an eagle lookin back at me! Now my heart and brain started racing, could this be a CW buckle? I thought about washing in a nearby brook but decided to wrap in oak leaves to protect it in my pouch so I could get pics of it as found. From what I see it's never been bent and is in nice condition, the tab on the back is intact too. Now I hope the pics will post, both uncleaned and after a rinse. I need advice on any further cleaning and preservation. I'm confidant some of the CW hunters can tell me what I have found. Going to be hard for me to top this unexpected find, here in Maine. Thanks for looking

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[creskol]

It seems to be a fairly weak strike, an I am not recalling any eagles with wing patterns like that at the moment ... but of course, I have to check my books, and don't have them handy right now. Maybe someone else will chime in on this one.

 

[civilman1]

You got one there Brother Congratulation's!!!

 

[civilman1]

It seems to be a fairly weak strike, an I am not recalling any eagles with wing patterns like that at the moment ... but of course, I have to check my books, and don't have them handy right now. Maybe someone else will chime in on this one.

Might be an Officer's full dress plate

 

[diggummup]

It looks like a model 1851 Eagle Officers sword belt plate.

 

[Dman]

I believe that is a CW buckle.
congrats
Dman

 

[creskol]

In the second photo, upper left corner, it looks like there is a benchmark .. can you make it out?

In the third photo, it looks like there might be letters in the top portion of the shield? Are there or am I seeing things?

 

[diggummup]

It seems to be a fairly weak strike, an I am not recalling any eagles with wing patterns like that at the moment ... but of course, I have to check my books, and don't have them handy right now. Maybe someone else will chime in on this one.

Those wings do look a little "funny"

 

[hogge]

Ya gotta clean that puppy up. The wings look funny, but in order to ID we have to see more details.

 

[kuger]

appears to be Fig 65,pg 71 in Kerksis' book
1851-1874 rarity:3
Officers Sword Belt Plate


Also,the one in the book seems to have "102",just to the left of the Tongue

 

[dumpdigger68]

Thanks for the replies. I can see 87 between the tongue and the edge of plate on the back. On the shield the lower part has vertical lines and the upper part has horizontal lines and possibly an "A" thats pretty faint. Now before I attempt further cleaning to show more detail, what is the best method that will not damage it? There is some loose scaly stuff, will I loose detail if I remove it? Again thanks for the help.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I agree with Kuger. Here is a scan of the plate.

 

[kuger]

Soils are different every where,but I would not put water on it.Probably best to let it dry and use a soft bristled tooth brush gently.Awesome plate!!!

 

[creskol]

That does look like a good match! Nice plate!

 

[steelheadwill]

Great New England Dig
Big Congrats!
You never know what's comin out next

 

[diggummup]

Nice confirmation. Congrats.

 

[duggap]

Congrads on the nice plate. That is one that has eluded me. I believe the numbers on the back of the plate are meant to match the same number on the keeper.

 

[dumpdigger68]

Thanks for the Id help. Been busy today but will try to clean it soon and post pics after. I'm still pretty wound up about finding it. I sure did'nt expect to find it. I thought maybe eventually I'd find something from the war of 1812 since there was a battle and the British occupied this town for a couple days. The site of the engagement is now a cemetary so no detecting there. I'm still hoping that out of the 1000 British troops that were here, someone must of lost a button or two for me to find.

 

[goldbill]

Congratulations nice c.w. buckle Not all of the battles of 1812 were at the cemetery !! Last year I found a 1786 two reale in Hampden that looks like it was carried for 26 years in someones pocket.... We should get together P.M. me .... Goldbill

 

[John Boy]

Very very nice.congrads.