Nearly Complete CW Saber Belt Hardware **Interesting and Disappointing Update**

[Kiros32]

***SEE MY UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM***

Thanks to PBK, Buckleboy, and Plehbah for the ID!

It turns out what I thought was harness hardware is actually the remains of a nearly complete Saber Belt! I am missing the key piece...the belt plate! It's been a while since I have found anything significant enough to post.

I can't wait to head back and find the plate! It has to be there.

 

[Kiros32]

Those finds are not disappointing in the Least! With that many belt pieces, there IS a plate in there somewhere.


And getting both the top and bottom pieces of that flag staff is really incredible!


That ALONE would be a Top Notch find!


Don't worry about the plates! Sites are what they are. Some of my best sites have been bulldozed or disturbed, but you know it happens. You get what you can and don't beat yourself up about the rest. Besides, you have a GREAT site. Enjoy it!

I do think that your odds are good, since that flag piece came up. I don't know who could've left that in the ground. If they got within feet of it, they'd have known it.



Regards,




Buckles

That's what I am hoping. I am sure this field was farmed years ago, and things could have been scattered. The top and bottom of the flag staff were found 40-50 feet apart.

 

[Kiros32]

I also agree that the flag pole pieces are excellent. I am sure those are Civil War vintage too. While they may not have the southern provenance, and may have been used until and dropped later during GAR activities or whatever, it is still a great example.

People may have kept most of the belt plates for sock drawer souvenirs, or they might all be in one hole just over yonder.

It almost looks now like you found where a GAR unit was using and throwing out some gear.

Start hunting the heck out of the area between where you found the saber belt brass, and the old barn location.

From what I am told, when they tore the building down, they basically buried everything on the spot. Were the belts hanging on a back wall or in a chest somewhere? Not sure of the scenario, but definitely an interesting site.

 

[BuckleBoy]

I also agree that the flag pole pieces are excellent. I am sure those are Civil War vintage too. While they may not have the southern provenance, and may have been used until and dropped later during GAR activities or whatever, it is still a great example.

People may have kept most of the belt plates for sock drawer souvenirs, or they might all be in one hole just over yonder.

It almost looks now like you found where a GAR unit was using and throwing out some gear.

Start hunting the heck out of the area between where you found the saber belt brass, and the old barn location.

From what I am told, when they tore the building down, they basically buried everything on the spot. Were the belts hanging on a back wall or in a chest somewhere? Not sure of the scenario, but definitely an interesting site.

My banner three CW Buckle hunt was at a place where the structure had been bulldozed and filled in. If the owner is ok with it, you might be able to dig some deeper or wider test holes in the area where the building was. And if there were sabers there, there could be iron relics like ramrods, musket barrels, or bayonets. This area will take a lot of time to hunt it sounds like, but it will be some of the best hunting you could imagine.