Found Western Wa oldest suspender buckle

[highnam]

I am a suspender buckle freak, having spent three years in a 1912 burned down R.R. Logging camp I have found dozens suspender buckle sets from this time period...


I recently found a new a new site at a turn of the century cedar shake mill, it's a bit of a hike, but I have had success and today my plan was to search for new hot spots by doing test digs. The shake mill is a trashy area so the test digs are for thoroughly checking an area by removing all the nails looking for clothing related pieces (best indicator of a juicy spot) the day wasn't going great, I missed any sweet spots and kept running into dead ends. I was getting frustrated 5 hours later and decided to try one last spot, after cleaning the leaves and debris away I settled in picking nails handful of dirt at a time. I found a couple wheels from I'm guessing was a piece of furniture and a button with a wee bit o gilt, hoorah! The day wasn't a bust. I was then completely caught off guard by the next item out of the ground...I couldn't believe my eyes, I was staring at a massive suspender buckle, I noticed it was of the style of suspender buckles posted by Tnet members from the late 1800's!

Also interesting is the buckle says "Shirley Brace"....brace is a older term for suspender, so I believe it is late 1800's at least.

I also find interesting a company called "President suspender" made suspenders in "Shirley, Ma" and produced one of the most common suspender buckles found from 1910-1920's....here is an example the buckle says "Shirley President"

I am curious, If they are related.
Thanks!

 

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[Yak1366]

Great collection! Congrats on the addition!

 

[WaterScoop]

I think you might be right!



This was an ad in the London Times December 30, 1911

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Awesome collection of relics!

 

[mikefromIllinois]

Very nice buckles and some good research. Congrats.

 

[Carolina Tom]

I like it that you ID yourself as a “suspender buckle freak”. I feel the same about same way about some of the objects I find. Sometimes it’s the little things that really make the hunt exciting. You got a sweet collection of buckles. Congrats on the latest old one.

It’s bound to be the same company.

 

[highnam]

I think you might be right!

View attachment 1535921

This was an ad in the London Times December 30, 1911

Awesome print Ad...I have seen these ads, but not this one that still refers them as braces...thank you

 

[WaterScoop]

I am glad you enjoyed it and it is new to you.

Here is a better copy of the ad without the highlights


Where do you live, I live in South West Washington, Vancouver/Battleground maybe we can go detecting sometime.

Cheers

 

[washingtonian]

Wow, you are persistent, nice find! I didn't hardly know anything about these but did find one in the fall after seeing your collection.

 

[highnam]

Thanks WaterScoop...
I am near the Canadian border...ever get up this way send me a PM.
not many MD'ers in this neck of the woods

 

[highnam]

Wow, you are persistent, nice find! I didn't hardly know anything about these but did find one in the fall after seeing your collection.

Once you find one you'll always recognize a suspender buckle, I am always amazed at the variety of designs.

 

[against the wind]

That is a nice addition to your collection.
Congratulations

 

[creskol]

Check out this site: https://archive.org/stream/gazettefashion00songoog/gazettefashion00songoog_djvu.txt

Scroll down to the section:
-
NOVBMBER I9 1878.

GAZETTE OF FASHION.

55

NEW PLANS FOB SUPPORTING TROUSERS.
-

"We have also another candidate for public favour
in the '^ Registered Shirley Brace," which, while
purporting to give the same amount of ease, is some-
what different in construction. This brace is also
fastened to the sides of the trousers, and removes the
pressure both at back and front."

 

[Trezurehunter]

Thats quite a suspender buckle collection. Very nice.

 

[sandchip]

Wow, those are great!

 

[highnam]

Check out this site: https://archive.org/stream/gazettefashion00songoog/gazettefashion00songoog_djvu.txt

Scroll down to the section:
-
NOVBMBER I9 1878.

GAZETTE OF FASHION.

55

NEW PLANS FOB SUPPORTING TROUSERS.
-

"We have also another candidate for public favour
in the '^ Registered Shirley Brace," which, while
purporting to give the same amount of ease, is some-
what different in construction. This brace is also
fastened to the sides of the trousers, and removes the
pressure both at back and front."

Wow Creskol! That is some great research! I feel like this suspender is the last of its kind, but it also seems like they were starting to solve some of the problems associated with the old design, we know the success that Shirley President went on to have, it's amazing to me that this buckle is one of the last of the old designs...just a few years before suspenders changed dramatically 1870's!!! Wow!