Is this a Civil War Sword Belt Clip?

[Bharpring]

Dug this piece in Savannah, GA a few days ago. Did some research online and found one identical that sold in 2011 that claimed to be a Civil War Sword Belt Clip dug in Charleston, SC. Can anyone verify that it is a Civil War Sword Belt Clip? Also, is there any monetary value to it?

 

[Icewing]

There is one like it listed as a Confederate sword belt clip, which seems plausible, but needs confirmation.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

It is what's called a "snap-hook"... used for various purposes, not just as a clip on a swordbelt's scabbard hanger/harness. The photo below shows a similar one (but made or iron), on a US Cavalry Model-1859 Link-Strap. All of that being said, the ornate designs on yours indicate it was made for use on an expensive sword scabbard harness, or something similar.

Yours is missing the riveted-on iron "tongue," shown in the photo, and your brass main hook's tip is bent outward.

I have not seen one exactly like yours "solidly" documented as Confederate-made. It might be, but it also could have been manufactured sometime earlier than the civil war. There's an important difference in the meaning of the terms Confederate-made and Confederate-used. The wartime South was short on military equipment, and the abiility to manufacture it, so a lot of it was imported from Europe. Also, the Confederacy had no choice but to put a lot of "outdated/obsolete" early-1800s military equipment into service.

 

[Bharpring]

This is awesome. Supposedly the kind like mine have been dug in confederate camps in Charleston. So Savannah is interesting to find it. I'm looking forward to seeing what else is on this site. Thanks

 

[SCdigger]

Sword hanger...there are similar clips like this on horse tack that often get confused.

SCdigger

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Bharpring wrote:
"Supposedly the kind like mine have been dug in confederate camps in Charleston. So Savannah is interesting to find it."

Being dug in those seacoast port locations, but no reports of being found "west" of the coastal area, suggests your find was made in Europe (most likely by Britain) and imported. For example, except for a few specific types, the British-made Confederate buttons (such as HT&B Manchester buttons) are found "most frequently" near the port cities where Blockade Runners landed.