Need help dating a buckle

[SC-Ric]

Hope someone can help me date this buckle. It says "Thomas Walker" and below it says "Warranted Secure". Cant find much on the internet other than Thomas Walker was an English buckle maker. I found it at an old home site in South Carolina.

 

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[CC Hunter]

SC-Ric,

Your Internet research pointing to Thomas Walker as being a English maker is correct. More specifically, the company was formed in Birmingham, one of the principal centers of historic brass manufacturing. The company formation as Limited (LTD) dates from 1857, and continued in operation through the 20th Century. Judging by the style of this buckle, and noting the similarity to other buckles known to date within a certain era and context of other period finds, most likely denotes this example to be circa 1850's-1860's or so. Being that this particular buckle here does not appear to exhibit the LTD marking following Thomas Walker, may lend to this being made very close to, if not before, the inception of the Limited filing of 1857.


CC Hunter

 

[SC-Ric]

Thanks CC, that helps a lot.

 

[tennessee digger]

Just as CC Hunter said that style of buckle is usually dated civil war era and before. The 3 "tines" were the style of that era. Your buckle is more likely a vest or pants adjuster buckle and probably not a suspender buckle although there were some made during that period using that same pattern. Congrats on a good find and good job on CC Hunters part too.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

CC Hunter and Tennessee Digger have already correctly identified (and time-dated) your buckle. All I need to add is a bit of explanation. The long VERY narrow sharp-pointed "tines" on your buckle were intended for use on a cloth/fabric strap, not leather. Vests and pants-waists of that era sometimes had a cloth strap with a buckle like yours which could be adjusted so the clothing would fit the person properly. See photo below.

 

[SC-Ric]

Thanks for all the info, I knew I came to the right place. Gotta go find some more now.

 

[ivan salis]

first tell it you like it...