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1800s Firemans Buckle. UPDATED.

CrazySlasher

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1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

I posted this in the what is it section originally and it was suggested I post it here.

"We hit a spot that turned out to be a dud except for an Inidan I found. Decided to just drive around and eyeball a spot and found 4 fields down the street that we're pretty sure are town owned. Pulled out a large cent (no date def pre-1808 though) and my buddy pulled an old button. Then I found the buckle. When it first popped out of the whole I nearly wet myself because I thought it was something else. I'm still pretty excited about it as I've found close to a hundred buckles this year, and aside from the colonial stuff, they've all been junk. We left a short while after because of the blazing heat. We plan on going back again this week when it's not so rainy. The town it was found is here on the south shore of MA (Dighton)"

When I get a chance this week I may go do some research on it and if the town is interested I'm going to donate it to the historical society.

"That is an awesome find...the Buckle is of a hand tub...They were ususally horse drawn and were as stated manual firepumps, usually drawing water from ponds or cisterns...Generally speaking, they were named and assigned a number...that would have been worn as part of the uniform specific to that tub...google search Fire Hand tubs local to your area, or swing by the FD in the area found...For example, some of the Tubs from my Department way back when in the 1800s were the Erie 4, & Washington 3....Sweet, and definatley a huge market for that piece"-gtfd47
 

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Upvote 0
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle

That is a cool buckle. Congrats. :thumbsup:
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle

Very cool buckle and a very collectible one to the right folks! CONGRATS :hello2: :icon_thumleft: :wink:
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle

Wow! The rarity of this(which I can't find anywhere) is probably pretty high! I was a firefighter for 3 years and I've seen some antique collections but never a buckle like that! I'm gonna have to vote BANNER on this, I've never seen or heard of anyone finding/posting one like it! :headbang:
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

I know this is an old post of mine but I have still get PM's about it. Another forum member put me into contact with someone who sent me these photos of some firemen wearing a buckle like I found. It dates between 1845-1860 and was cast by Hunneman. He also said, " It was used by, if not originated for, the Boston Fire Department." Sadly, there was originally a wreath around it that is lost to mother earth.
 

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Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

Slasher,I missed this post way back when!!This is a real dandy!!!I have seen a matching set of suspender buckles.

Your pictures (Dagureotypes) feature Gentlemen wearing Tongue and Wreath style buckles which I see no evidence in yours being?
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

kuger said:
Slasher,I missed this post way back when!!This is a real dandy!!!I have seen a matching set of suspender buckles.

Your pictures (Dagureotypes) feature Gentlemen wearing Tongue and Wreath style buckles which I see no evidence in yours being?

Thank you Kuger.


I know, it's hard for me to see it as well. However, the gentlemen that gave me this info is a Historian for NYFD. He said that I'm missing the wreath on mine. Here's his quote about the photos: "Here are two images of firemen with that buckle. Both are from Boston FD. These aren't my images, they were sent to me so the resolution isn't good enough to really see it well. But you get the idea. Gary"

Here's a book of his on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Badges-Bravest-Gary-R-Urbanowicz/dp/1563117975?tag=treasurenet01-20
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

allen said:
that is a gorgeous buckle and I
will vote banner for it also.

Thanks Allen. It's one of my favorite finds.

Also want to say thanks to member J23 for putting me in contact with Gary.
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

CrazySlasher said:
kuger said:
Slasher,I missed this post way back when!!This is a real dandy!!!I have seen a matching set of suspender buckles.

Your pictures (Dagureotypes) feature Gentlemen wearing Tongue and Wreath style buckles which I see no evidence in yours being?

Thank you Kuger.


I know, it's hard for me to see it as well. However, the gentlemen that gave me this info is a Historian for NYFD. He said that I'm missing the wreath on mine. Here's his quote about the photos: "Here are two images of firemen with that buckle. Both are from Boston FD. These aren't my images, they were sent to me so the resolution isn't good enough to really see it well. But you get the idea. Gary"

Here's a book of his on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Badges-Bravest-Gary-R-Urbanowicz/dp/1563117975?tag=treasurenet01-20

Point taken....however I beleive the "expert",is wrong.Your buckle has a "puppy Paw",style of attachment,and no evidence of the belt loop attachment that it would have it were a Tongue
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

Woooooooooow :headbang: Got my vote :icon_thumright:
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

Great Piece of history, outstanding :thumbsup:
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

Interesting piece of 19th Century Fireman history you have there.

I will concur with this find being the center section of a cast brass tongue & wreath buckle, rather than a singular oval buckle that once had attachment hooks. There are no attachment hooks on this example, as we may note that the raised areas are merely casting details to provide a "lock" in the wreath portion.

A study of the back view photo, will allow a glimpse of slight rough protrusions on the right side edge, evidencing a break from the bridge portion leading to the belt loop. Furthermore, the size of this buckle piece is consistent with other oval two-piece tongue & wreath buckles of the 1840's-1850's.


CC Hunter
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

CC Hunter said:
Interesting piece of 19th Century Fireman history you have there.

I will concur with this find being the center section of a cast brass tongue & wreath buckle, rather than a singular oval buckle that once had attachment hooks. There are no attachment hooks on this example, as we may note that the raised areas are merely casting details to provide a "lock" in the wreath portion.

A study of the back view photo, will allow a glimpse of slight rough protrusions on the right side edge, evidencing a break from the bridge portion leading to the belt loop. Furthermore, the size of this buckle piece is consistent with other oval two-piece tongue & wreath buckles of the 1840's-1850's.


CC Hunter

Well,I stand corrected..again!I see what you are saying about the casting's.Non the less awesome piece!!!!
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

I also missed this post the first time around...great piece of history there. Congrats.

NJ
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

Thanks for the replies and info guys :icon_thumleft:
 
Re: 1800's Fireman's Buckle. UPDATED.

Great new info on your buckle!

Doug
 

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