Dug my first plate today, need help

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Went to my favorite spot after work today. Oldest item to date at this site was a Jackson Victory flat button pre CW. (Location: Southern suburbs Pittsburgh) Decided to hit a flat area a hundred yards from the old stone foundation. The signal was between beer can and silver dollar, normally would pass, but not many signals in this
area. What do I have here? Just water and my thumb to remove dirt so far. Here are the other finds.

Can anyone ID this plate?

Good luck out there!

 

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[villagenut]

Nice one, does it have any script engraving on the top side? Looks pre CW to me.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Should I take a toothbrush to it to try to get through the thick layer of crust? Where do I look for "script engraving"? It obviously does not have CS or anything big on the front.

 

[Worm-Slicer]

I do believe that is pre-Civil War militia belt plate. Great find!

 

[Steve in PA]

Excellent find on the plate! Here are a couple possibilities. Might be tough to get accurate dimensions since it's bent a little.

 

[texjim]

Sites like you are at you have to dig every signal.. Good job.

 

[Steve in PA]

Try to get a good measurement across the width and I'll see if I can find a match in this book. Your piece dated 1907 is cool too.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Appears to be 61mm x 87mm.

 

[Steve in PA]

Appears to be 61mm x 87mm.

I calculated 60 x 85 mm which means it could be plate 75 that I posted above, or this one. Either way you have a War of 1812 era shoulder belt plate!

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Wow! Thanks for your help Steve. That would make this my oldest find. Now we just need to work out a trade for one of your Reales! (I'm a coin hunter at heart, but quickly getting drawn into our areas rich history.)

 

[against the wind]

Very nice belt plate.
You may want to consider professional restoration.
They will clean it, straighten it, and probably give a positive identification.
Congratulations

 

[smokeythecat]

Those were (if memory serves) first used during the Revolutionary War, primarily by British troops. Were also used into the War of 1812 period. I have several I purchased and those are very similarly made and are from the Revolution. Nice find. I've never found an oval one.

 

[ecmjamsit]

Nice plate! I would be elated to find that. Colorado was part of Spain when that buckle was made.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Nice plate! I would be elated to find that. Colorado was part of Spain when that buckle was made.

Thx! I have seen a number of plate finds on tnet, never thought I would be looking at one in the bottom of a hole where I hunt. Not a lot of fighting here, but plenty of soldiers.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Those were (if memory serves) first used during the Revolutionary War, primarily by British troops. Were also used into the War of 1812 period. I have several I purchased and those are very similarly made and are from the Revolution. Nice find. I've never found an oval one.

Thx Smokey. One of your comments a week or so ago regarding big loud cache signals has been on my mind lately and was probably the reason I dug this beer can signal.

 

[vpnavy]

..: NICE Plate pa-dirt_nc-sand :..
​

 

[Bay Beagle]

congrats on a great find - and in good shape for its age too .....

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on an outstanding plate.

 

[Steve in PA]

Wow! Thanks for your help Steve. That would make this my oldest find. Now we just need to work out a trade for one of your Reales! (I'm a coin hunter at heart, but quickly getting drawn into our areas rich history.)

You will find a Spanish Silver, it's just a matter of time. The site you are on now looks like it goes back to the 1820s based on the plate and the Jackson's Victory button. Spanish Silver was still heavily used in the 1820s and 30s around here.