Civil War Era Sword Belt Plate? ...At the Community Park !?!.

[BLACKIE555]

8 inches down at an old city park I've been digging with a good friend. It produced an an erratic 40-42 on my Legend. It showed a 2 inch depth....another penny I figured, but I had to keep digging and digging. Hard dirt mixed with packed gravel, I eventually caught and lifted the edge, felt thin, nearly passed it up as can trash, but I felt the embossing with a fingertip. I grabbed the edge and out yanked this. 😳 My friend and I just couldn't believe it. It was so unexpected and out of place. Still in disbelief. The location is hunted A LOT!
I found an eagle button 20 yards away the day before, not sure if they are related or from the same timeframe.

Some soapy water and toothbrush revealed this. Humbled ....for those of us committed to swinging a stick and spade....keep swinging! God bless!

 

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[Nathan W]

Looks like an officers buckle (civil war) but I’m not the expert

 

[The Rebel]

Very cool find.

It's probably a Militia Officers/NCO sword buckle and button rather than a regular army issued piece.

I'd say it's probably an original piece and not a reproduction plate.

 

[villagenut]

great find ....and from a city park. awesome!

 

[lenmac65]

That’s awesome! Congrats!

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Very nice !

 

[antmike915]

Nice finds 👌

 

[Mike N Tn.]

Beautiful Plate! Congratulations!

 

[oldmxrat]

Top shelf find, congrats!

 

[BLACKIE555]

Very cool find.

It's probably a Militia Officers/NCO sword buckle and button rather than a regular army issued piece.

I'd say it's probably an original piece and not a reproduction plate.

Many thanks to you!

 

[Chilli]

8 inches down at an old city park I've been digging with a good friend. It produced an an erratic 40-42 on my Legend. It showed a 2 inch depth....another penny I figured, but I had to keep digging and digging. Hard dirt mixed with packed gravel, I eventually caught and lifted the edge, felt thin, nearly passed it up as can trash, but I felt the embossing with a fingertip. I grabbed the edge and out yanked this. 😳
I found an eagle button 20 yards away the day before, not sure if they are related or from the same timeframe.
View attachment 2148584
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View attachment 2148586
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Some soapy water and toothbrush revealed this. Humbled ....for those of us committed to swinging the stick and shovel....keep swinging! God bless!

Buckle cleaned up very nice👍

 

[Buff]

Brian,
That is a beautiful relic. I wish you more to come.
Pete

 

[Silvermonkey]

Pretty crazy to find that beautiful plate in a public park. Big congrats! Any idea how long the park has been there...and what was on the land before it became a park?

 

[jewelerguy]

sweet!

 

[michael NY]

8 inches down at an old city park I've been digging with a good friend. It produced an an erratic 40-42 on my Legend. It showed a 2 inch depth....another penny I figured, but I had to keep digging and digging. Hard dirt mixed with packed gravel, I eventually caught and lifted the edge, felt thin, nearly passed it up as can trash, but I felt the embossing with a fingertip. I grabbed the edge and out yanked this. 😳
I found an eagle button 20 yards away the day before, not sure if they are related or from the same timeframe.
View attachment 2148584
View attachment 2148585
View attachment 2148586
View attachment 2148598
View attachment 2148831
Some soapy water and toothbrush revealed this. Humbled ....for those of us committed to swinging a stick and spade....keep swinging! God bless!

Wow what a find!

 

[BLACKIE555]

Pretty crazy to find that beautiful plate in a public park. Big congrats! Any idea how long the park has been there...and what was on the land before it became a park?

The land was privately owned by early pioneers. It became a dumping ground. It was considered an eyesore by a famous business magnate who had a sprawling enterprise nearby. He convinced a wealthy associate to purchase the land and donate it to the city to become a community park at the turn of the century. It has had literally millions of visitors over the years and has been terra formed a number of times during urban renewal initiatives. Very little of original dirt remains....but there are some finds, here and there. Crazy! Thanks for looking.

 

[LandSeig]

Beautiful find! At a park at that! Banner!

 

[ticndig]

I've never seen that style plate stamped , I've only seen them cast.

 

[BLACKIE555]

I've never seen that style plate stamped , I've only seen them cast.

I can't find a matching image anywhere. Anything close is cast....no sign of having had a backing plate adhered anywhere on the back...strange. 🤔

 

[ticndig]

I agree it's strange , a common buckle in cast but can't seem to locate that stamped style.
stamped buckles have solder filled backs.