Civil War finds, My first plate!!

[tndirtdigger]

Went out for a few hours last night because I couldn't handle the thought of going one more hour without doing some digging! Its been so hot and humid, but I said to heck with it. Spent about three hours finding, square nails, a scabbard tip with lead finial, a three ringer, smaller caliber two ringer, and what appears to be a tent spike that may have been used in for a tent or something.

Then at about 1 AM I said to myself I am going to dig one more thing and I am done. That's when I got a real solid squeal on the AT Pro. Dug about 4" and come unglued when the plate was staring back at me. This is my first plate and it couldn't be any more beautiful. Barely any bending or cracking and the back clips are still intact. I know there were several US plates styles, can anyone elaborate on this style or possible value of the buckle? I would never sell it because it is priceless to me but I would still like to give it a monetary value if possible. Thanks for looking and HH everyone!!!

 

[scott9050]

Congrats, very nice plate.

 

[Jacobsdt]

Congrats, that is in great shape.

 

[Davers]

Congratulations On your 1st US Belt Plate & Dam nice one at that.

 

[against the wind]

That is one really nice find. The AT PRO did good on that find. Perhaps you should contact Garrett and have your story published.
I would have it professionally restored and matched to a nice leather belt, and then wear it.
Now I know it would have to be a "CS" Buckle for a good Ole boy from Tennessee to wear, but I think it might be acceptable at MD Club gatherings or seeded hunts. lol

 

[dansalata]

nice one..congrats to you!!

 

[Sooper Dave]

Congrats on your first plate! That one is a real beauty! That is a relic high up on my to find list

 

[OutdoorAdv]

That's one great looking plate! I don't recall seeing one posted recently in that sort of condition. Excellent find.

I've found two CW plates.... one looks like it was stepped on my 1,000 horses and the other looks like it was melted in a fire. ha

 

[Steve in PA]

Nice looking waist belt plate! The majority of dug plates these days are in a lot worse condition. You can go to any one of the online relic shops and get a good idea of the retail value. I would guess it around $200-250.

Try Harry Ridgeway's site. He has a lot of buckles for sale.

 

[digging440yrs]

Nice one !

 

[parsonwalker]

Man, that IS in fantastic shape! A real beauty. What kind of soil did you find it in? I think the $250 (maybe a little more in that shape) mark is about right. The narrow letters and arrowhead hooks put it at mid to late war. I know there is a huge price difference in sizes, but I don't know how to tell sizes. Yours is not the single hook "baby" and the larger buckle is the standard. The medium size buckle is worth a lot more, but I confess I don't know how to tell a medium from a large. Somebody here will chime in . . .

 

[cjon455]

Well there it is, the holy grail in my opinion. Don't get much cooler than that! Congratulations

 

[metalev4]

Beautiful Plate, congrats on your first.

 

[bobby5]

Wow that is in Very Nice Condition.

 

[basque-man]

What a GREAT looking buckle. Congrats!

 

[46Wheat]

That's a awesome looking buckle

 

[corpsman]

Awesome! congrats on finding your first plate! looks to be in great condition. that patina looks just like the ones that come out of Murfreesboro. I would say that the $200-$250 range would be about right for that plate. but, I don't keep up much with the prices, so I could be off. I would leave it exactly as it is. someone suggested restoring it and wearing it. that would be shame to destroy it by doing that. anyway, congratulations!

 

[pepperj]

Congrats on the beautiful looking plate, it'll look great in a display.

 

[tndirtdigger]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

I walk by it every hour just to look at it again. The soil it came out of is rich as 6 feet up a bulls a**. I'm really surprised with the little amount of deterioration. Just glad I didn't hit it while digging. We had some rain in the past few days so the ground was good and loose. The buckle came from around Murfreesboro which makes sense that it would have that patina! I don't plan on doing anything else to the buckle, I lightly wiped the dirt off the front and back and that is it. Now on to finding a CSA plate which is a little more difficult to find!

 

[RJ55]

Congratulations on the awesome buckle.