Its Bent But What The Hay!-*Restored Photo Added*

Curious The George

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It's Bent But What The Hay!-*Restored Photo Added*

I have attached the restored belt plate to the bottom of this message.

A well done job by Roland Frodigh of Hallowed Ground Restorations.


I found this a week and a half ago but just got the photos taken.

This is a ca. 1810 militia belt plate that was issued by the Federal Government to the states to use for their militias uniforms. As I understand the story, when the War of Northern Aggression broke out the Southern States armory's issued these to the Confederate Army troops. They were available and put into service. The Northern States didn't need to use old equipment and they were not issued to their armies. So, it is a Confederate Civil War item. This seems to be indentified as the "Star of Stars" plate because the big star is made up of smaller stars.

The belt loop and hook are rusted off, they left rust deposits on the back of the plate.

I can say it was quite a thrill to see one of the cannons and part of the shield peeking out of a clod of dirt. Another piece of history saved from rotting away in the ground.

I have contacted a restorer about straitening it out so it will display well. When that is accomplished I'll post it on here.

If anyone reading this has any more information about the plate please fill us all in.
 

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Upvote 3
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Curious The George

Curious The George

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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

relic lover said:
Very nice dig. Can't wait to see it restored, I wonder what that it would cost :icon_scratch:

RL, I see this buckle is your avatar. Can you fill us in on the story behind it and post a larger photo here? I'd sure like to know anything about these buckles.
 

MaineRelic

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Mar 9, 2008
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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

Please do have it restored ! and show us the results :headbang: heck of a find :icon_sunny: MaineRelic
 

spitfire55

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Sep 17, 2008
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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

:thumbsup:
 

jamesbibb

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Sep 11, 2009
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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

I just dont understand!!!! BANNER!! :protest:
This plate is a relic hunters dream find!
 

Iron Patch

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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

Bent or not it's a great find. There's at least three professional relic restorers I know of that could tackle that. I tend to be against restoration when it adds material to a find, but for a bend if the find was a good candidate I'd do it.
 

relic lover

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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

Curious The George said:
relic lover said:
Very nice dig. Can't wait to see it restored, I wonder what that it would cost :icon_scratch:

RL, I see this buckle is your avatar. Can you fill us in on the story behind it and post a larger photo here? I'd sure like to know anything about these buckles.
The only thing I know is that it is an militia artillery officers sword belt plate circa 1810. I'll try to find the pics of my dig but meantime you can click on my made the banner link under my avatar.
 

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Curious The George

Curious The George

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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

Thank you all for the good words about the find.

Relic Lover, thanks for telling me how to find your plate. That was a great find for you.

I have sent photos to a recommended restorer and it's been about a week and a half and I haven't heard back from him. I am going to start looking for someone else who may be interested in restoring it.
 

g-olden years

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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

Nice find! If you can get your head out of the sand for a moment (lol), go to "My Best Finds", select the "Post Your Favorite Buckles" thread and scroll down to vermontpackrat's post where you will see the same buckle in nice condition, and his mention of its use in the War of 1812. If you contact him, possibly he has more info about this interesting buckle you both found. Andi
 

N.J.THer

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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

Nice plate...can't wait to see it restored.

NJ
 

relic lover

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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

Thanks and Congrats to you too. please post any history you you dig up on it I am always learning as well
 

MUD(S.W.A.T)

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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

Very cool find !! :icon_thumleft: :headbang:

Maybe make banner if you had it straitened, not sure though thats just an assumption. :dontknow:
Regardless, that's an awesome find that most of us dream of !! :notworthy: :headbang:

Keep @ it and HH !! ;D :D
 

jamesbibb

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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

MUD(S.W.A.T) said:
Very cool find !! :icon_thumleft: :headbang:

Maybe make banner if you had it straitened, not sure though thats just an assumption. :dontknow:
Regardless, that's an awesome find that most of us dream of !! :notworthy: :headbang:

Keep @ it and HH !! ;D :D

It should make banner no matter the slight bend! WHat is wrong here? Its a 200 year old relic thats been buried n the ground for most of its life what does it need to look like to find itself in its rightful place upon the banner? :protest:
 

Iron Patch

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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

Curious The George said:
Thank you all for the good words about the find.

Relic Lover, thanks for telling me how to find your plate. That was a great find for you.

I have sent photos to a recommended restorer and it's been about a week and a half and I haven't heard back from him. I am going to start looking for someone else who may be interested in restoring it.

Was it this guy? If not, he does very good work.

Leonard Short

540-230-5442

[email protected]
 

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Curious The George

Curious The George

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Sep 4, 2008
655
133
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Re: It's Bent But What The Hay!

Iron Patch said:
Curious The George said:
Thank you all for the good words about the find.

Relic Lover, thanks for telling me how to find your plate. That was a great find for you.

I have sent photos to a recommended restorer and it's been about a week and a half and I haven't heard back from him. I am going to start looking for someone else who may be interested in restoring it.

Was it this guy? If not, he does very good work.

Leonard Short

540-230-5442

[email protected]
I think it not best to name the person on this site. I have no idea why the person has not responded. Could be involved in some personal issue and just can't get to it.

All I can say is that I sent a person who is well respected for restoration of CW artifacts, he answered back asking for photos so he could give me a estimate for the restoration. I sent the photos in two different emails. Waited a week and sent a message asking if the person got the photos and it has been another week and I have not heard from the person.

My concern is if this person takes his good old time answering inquires how long would the person sit on my buckle and not respond about the progress. I have no problem with an artist taking their time on something like this. In my opinion there is 4-6 hrs., at the most, in fixing this thing. I don't want to beg and plead for 6 months to get it back. And a person that doesn't promptly respond to inquiries, in my experience, will not be cooperative once the item is in their possession.
 

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