Need to ID Mystery Sheild

[grizrex]

Dug this near savannah recently. It measures 30 mm. wide by 40mm. high. Letter appears to be a 'G', but could be a 'C', or even an 'E'. This plate is radiused horizontally, and would fit snug against something between eight and ten inches in diameter. This is definitly a handmade piece, and you should notice that the overall outline is not even symmetrical. Site could be pre-rev, rev, or civil war. Appears to be copper, but may be red brass.

 

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[fortbball9]

I was at a antique shop today and I seen the same design on a coin and it had a crown above it.
But I can,t remember what kind of coin it was,But I do remember it war around the CW era.
But a very nice find.

fortbball9

 

[DaChief]

Hey Griz,

I found the same shield in Springfield, Ga.It is brass. I don't believe that they are handmade. They appear to be cast. Here are the pics of front and back. I have never tried to determine what it was. My thoughts originally was that it was some type of plate off of an appliance or a vehicle or a wagon, etc. Since mine was found in the same area of Georgia you are from, it may be something from a local manufacturer back in the day. My measurements were just a hair larger than yours and my "G" is a tad different. Probably a later or earlier casting. Mine still has the rivets attached and some lead solder on the back. Maybe someone on here will be able to give us a clue.

DaChief

 

[grizrex]

Thanks Much Chief!! Definate match, and now i'm thinkin' that your 'G' makes my letter a 'C'. Also I'm with you on the cast idea too. Notice the corners at mid-'G' ? The left one is lower than the right one. Exactly the same on mine, and the pic I recieved from West Va., his letter is an 'L', same font.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Thanks Much Chief!! Definate match, and now i'm thinkin' that your 'G' makes my letter a 'C'. Also I'm with you on the cast idea too. Notice the corners at mid-'G' ? The left one is lower than the right one. Exactly the same on mine, and the pic I recieved from West Va., his letter is an 'L', same font.

Will you post the letter "L" photo so that we can all see it too?

 

[cheese]

Okay... getting interesting here. I've got one that looks identical other than the letter. Mine has an "R". It was found in southwest Georgia. Here's a pic of mine after cleaning it up. I didn't think much of it until I saw this thread. Mine also has a curvature to it. It was found on a site where the finds have been from around 1900 to 1930.

 

[creskol]

I dug one that is similar in nature, but not an exact match.

American Digger magazine had some discussion about these, but nobody really seems to know what they are.

 

[grizrex]

O.K. Fellas, Here's the picture I recieved from Buzzardjaws in West Va. His is flat, as you can see. Cheese, I suspect your 'R', might be a 'P'. What do ya'll think? Also, is mine a 'G', or a 'C' ?

 

[ivan salis]

maybe a type of "boss" ( a horse chest plate type item)--ie horse a bit of tack -- it would have been lead filled and riveted onto leather once upon a time and been near the horse's chest . that is what I'm thinking

 

[mellowcheddar]

The first thing I thought of was a door-plate, but if it's curved maybe it went on a porch-post. Maybe they were both, curved for porches and flat for doors? Like "S" for the Smith's house, "P" for the Poole's, etc etc etc

 

[DCMatt]

maybe a type of "boss" ( a horse chest plate type item)--ie horse a bit of tack -- it would have been lead filled and riveted onto leather once upon a time and been near the horse's chest . that is what I'm thinking

I'm with Ivan - horse brass. Can't find anything on the Net to back up my guess, though. All the horse brass I see has a strap loop at the top, not rivets...

DCMatt

 

[trikikiwi]

American Digger magazine had some discussion about these, but nobody really seems to know what they are.

creskol, your example is identified as a saddle shield on this site (just before half way down page)
http://www.horsesoldier.com/catalog/c0024.html



DECORATIVE BRASS SADDLE SHIELD IN WONDERFUL EXCAVATED CONDITION

This excavated artifact is a fine example of an equestrian saddle shield device used to decorate a horseman's saddle. This concave-shaped shield device is of heavy die-struck brass and measures 1¾" high by 1 5/8" at its widest point. The relic features a large, 1" high, raised, English script letter "D" in the center of the shield. Background displays a slight dimpled surface. Top portion of the outer shield features a 3-point scalloped edge. Each of the three corners of the shield feature a small hole used to nail the device to the saddle pommel. Shield has acquired a very fine, chocolate-brown patina overall.


(348-85) $225.00
Price: $225.00
Quantity: 1
LookUp Code: 348-85
Shipping: Determined by method & location of buyer
Inquire: Inquiry
To Order:: Call 717-334-0347, Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail info@horsesoldier.com

I think I agree with the other people that these other shields are also from horse tack.

Mike

 

[BuckleBoy]

American Digger magazine had some discussion about these, but nobody really seems to know what they are.

creskol, your example is identified as a saddle shield on this site (just before half way down page)
http://www.horsesoldier.com/catalog/c0024.html




DECORATIVE BRASS SADDLE SHIELD IN WONDERFUL EXCAVATED CONDITION

This excavated artifact is a fine example of an equestrian saddle shield device used to decorate a horseman's saddle. This concave-shaped shield device is of heavy die-struck brass and measures 1¾" high by 1 5/8" at its widest point. The relic features a large, 1" high, raised, English script letter "D" in the center of the shield. Background displays a slight dimpled surface. Top portion of the outer shield features a 3-point scalloped edge. Each of the three corners of the shield feature a small hole used to nail the device to the saddle pommel. Shield has acquired a very fine, chocolate-brown patina overall.


(348-85) $225.00
Price: $225.00
Quantity: 1
LookUp Code: 348-85
Shipping: Determined by method & location of buyer
Inquire: Inquiry
To Order:: Call 717-334-0347, Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail info@horsesoldier.com

I think I agree with the other people that these other shields are also from horse tackle.

Mike

I wonder how they know? Seems like an awful high price if you don't have a solid ID for an item...

 

[cheese]

They described it as "die struck". Mine appears to be cast. Also, I believe the remains of iron nails or screws were in mine, as also seen on one of the other shields here. It's not thick, and has no evidence of lead ever being in the back. It has a curvature greater than that of a coke can, but less than that of a quart fruit/canning jar. I don't think I have found even one piece of harness equipment where I found this shield, but that doesn't mean it's not related.

Grizrex...you're right...I think. Mine does appear to be a "P". I think yours is an "L"?

Seems like there should be one in place, still affixed to whatever item is was made for somewhere. I'll be looking. I'm curious now.

 

[DaChief]

Well this is getting pretty good. I had placed mine in a curiosity pile and forgotten about it until I saw this post but that 225 dollar price tag makes me want to look some more to try to confirm the I.D. I too believe that price is a bit high.

Mine was found in an area that saw action during the civil war but was active throughout history after the war in farming and commerce. I have always thought it was post civil war though.

Hopefully we can come up with something definitive.

 

[BuckleBoy]

I think you should email horsesoldier.com and ask them how they know what the ID of the shield item is.

Refer to it by number, so there will be no mistaking which item you're asking about.



-Buckles

 

[Evolx10]

O.K. Fellas, Here's the picture I recieved from Buzzardjaws in West Va. His is flat, as you can see. Cheese, I suspect your 'R', might be a 'P'. What do ya'll think? Also, is mine a 'G', or a 'C' ?

Looking at the "G" i think yours is definitely a "C" yours has a more rounded bottom that does not extend upward as far as the "G" and does not make the abrupt angle change to the center.

GLdiggin

 

[ivan salis]

great way to ID mark "your" saddle from others .