Help with buckle age

[dts52]

Hello, all. Any thoughts onn the age of this buckle? The tang is obviously iron, heavily rusted and ready to fall off. The crossbar appears to have been added (not a single-piece casting). I also found a half dozen of what I thought were smallshirt buttons, ringing up in the 80s on the Pro. Very excited until I got home and put my glasses on, only to find they are thumb tacks.
Also found the neck to a hand blown ink well and pieces of an old salt clay bottle with a coiled appearance on the inside. Brutally hot and the mosquitoes were too much. Also found an old scythe blade about 4" deep next to a stone wall, but that's probably modern. Thanks for any opinions.
HH
dts

 

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[Hawks88]

That’s a beautiful buckle. Congrats. Sorry I know it’s old but I’ll let the pros date it for you.

 

[toasted]

Its old but I dont think its colonial time period

 

[dts52]

Thanks, Hawk and Toasted!
hh
dts

 

[sorahc]

I saw this on another post. Your buckle looks very old to me.

 

[dts52]

Thanks, sorahc!
dts

 

[Steve in PA]

I have never dug one but have seen some debate over these buckles. One school of thought is they are mid 19th century horse tack buckles. Others feel they are 18th century.

 

[Slowtaknow]

Sorach is right i believe, really old

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice old buckle recovery!

If time permits, I will find my buckle book and look it up!

 

[CRUSADER]

Circa. 1850’s horse harness buckle.

 

[CRUSADER]

Nice old buckle recovery!

If time permits, I will find my buckle book and look it up!

good luck, if you find a book with it let me know, I’ve only found one small little known title.

 

[dts52]

Thanks, all. I am counting it as a keeper!
HH
dts

 

[Steve in PA]

AHRRRR! It's one of these buckles Matey!

 

[tndirtdigger]

I would say 18th century or early 19th century