Civil war belt buckle

[Capone]

I just found this. I'm at a park in Minneapolis. I'm shaking in confusion and awe!

 

[Capone]

How can I go about preserving this?

 

[peruna]

There are sometimes things you find that are hard to explain...then again, there are things you find that you just say: "Thank you, Lord!"

 

[Centsless Detecting]

Thats a really cool find. Can you post pics of both sides?
Not sure how to clean it but I saw an episode of The Hoover Boys where Kurt found one and preserved it.
I would hate for it to be a reproduction which may be more likely than a real one based on where you found it...
Still huge congrats on an awesome find

 

[Worm-Slicer]

Nice find, but that rim on it is very strange. I personally don't know what to think of this as I've never seen a Civil War U.S. plate with that kind of rim, so I personally don't think it is. Perhaps it's post war of some type, I'm not really sure. I'm curious what the back looks like, can you post photos of the back?

 

[Joe hunter]

Very nice find .I found a civil war buckle in upstate ny no civil war here either but people did bring them home which is cool because it means it’s owner lived through it.

 

[Capone]

Maybe it is a reproduction...

It looks old if that helps..

Found it at a park that dates back to late 1800s

 

[smokeythecat]

Maybe, maybe not. There were a lot of variants made. I have a book I'll check later. Just wash it off with soap and water and let it dry a week or so for now.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Most of those old plates had lead poured in the back. Is it heavy? Some of them are stamped Gaylord in the lead. Look for that. Gary

 

[Capone]

Most of those old plates had lead poured in the back. Is it heavy? Some of them are stamped Gaylord in the lead. Look for that. Gary

It's heavy and I'm certain it's mostly lead. I'll wash it and take some more pictures when I'm home.

 

[Capone]

I circled some of the gilt that is visible

 

[Capone]

After soap and water soak

 

[Capone]

I haven't seen any buckles or plates with this little lead clasp.
View attachment 1609476

 

[smokeythecat]

It's at least 100 years old. It takes a long time for lead to get like this. I'd guess Civil War or Indian Wars variant. I don't have the books necessary for a firm ID however I do have a book on reproductions and one like this is NOT in it.

 

[Rookster]

Not saying it's not real but you might check to see if reenactments have happened in that area in the last few years. I hope they haven't. Congrats,

 

[Capone]

It's at least 100 years old. It takes a long time for lead to get like this. I'd guess Civil War or Indian Wars variant. I don't have the books necessary for a firm ID however I do have a book on reproductions and one like this is NOT in it.

Thank you Smokey!

 

[Hawks88]

Real or not it’s still a great find. Congrats

 

[Fullstock]

Really unusual (and interesting ) plate.

 

[Whyme]

I just found this. I'm at a park in Minneapolis. I'm shaking in confusion and awe!

Very nice find! Gives me hope that someday I might find one where I live!

 

[Capone]

Really unusual (and interesting ) plate.

I'm hoping to find some place online with civil war experts I can show the pictures to. Thanks!