Shoe buckle

[1stColonialRegiment]

I found this at one of my mid 1700s to early 1800s house sites. I think it may be a shoe buckle but not 100% on that. I was under the impression that they weren't made from iron, but this appears to have the proper shape (if it weren't bent) and attachment area for the center portion. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Erving]

Nice! It looks like a shoe buckle frame to me.

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

I agree, it looks like a buckle to me too.

VPR

 

[Ahab8]

It certainly looks like a shoe buckle and I have found a very old knee buckle made of iron so I suppose it's possible

 

[vpnavy]

Thanks for sharing...

 

[CASPER-2]

BLACKSMITHS WOULD MAKE THEM IF YOU WANTED THEM - NOT COMMON - BUT THERE OUT THERE

 

[park pirate]

Like them old shoe buckels..

 

[CRUSADER]

Yeap 18th C shoe buckle, we have had a couple of iron ones posted, however, they are a much rarer find.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Nice early buckle. You going to attempt any further cleaning?

 

[1stColonialRegiment]

Nice early buckle. You going to attempt any further cleaning?

I haven't, do you have any ideas on what I could do?

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

I haven't, do you have any ideas on what I could do?

I generally use electrolysis on iron artifacts. But your buckle looks a little on the thin side so you'd have to be careful to not remove too much corrosion or you could risk damaging it.

 

[1stColonialRegiment]

I generally use electrolysis on iron artifacts. But your buckle looks a little on the thin side so you'd have to be careful to not remove too much corrosion or you could risk damaging it.

That is exactly what my thoughts were. Thanks for your input. I ended up doing a little surface cleaning and then put it in the wax pot, just to get a protective coating over it.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

That is exactly what my thoughts were. Thanks for your input. I ended up doing a little surface cleaning and then put it in the wax pot, just to get a protective coating over it.

That's probably the smart thing to do as I'd hate for you to damage or destroy that nice artifact by taking the cleaning too far.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

I just saw where you're a brand new poster. Welcome to the forum, and I hope we can continue to share info about our colonial passions. Good luck!