Silver shoe buckle!!! Woot! And other stuff

[fernald1]

Also for a beautiful pewter button but I lost it on the way out hopefully I'll find it when I return. Had it wrapped in a white Kleenex. And there's quite a bit of snow. Maybe in a few weeks I'll spot it easier. If I can find the route I left... 2 mile walk through rugged terrain

 

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[Argentium]

With good light and a loupe, you may find a hallmark on the silver part (assuming it is silver )

 

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[treblehunter]

I found an almost complete frame, plated silver shoe buckle. I would love to see the OP's buckle up close, any marks? I'd love to see some better pix, up close and in focus. It looks so beautiful, if I found it I'd be so stoked.

 

[CRUSADER]

I've never seen one in person, but have seen a couple listed in Whiteheads Buckle book. Towards the back I believe. Personally I've only found tinned steel shoe buckles with steel chapes

To the OP - amazing buckle. Most certainly preserve that chape to prevent deterioration. I'm amazed that steel lasted so well.

OK take your word on it, not checked the book recently. Although it does seem an odd combination, most making a 'quality' object in silver would do all the moving parts.
That apart, the images to me don't look silver, although in person maybe a different deal.
Once again, you know I take nothing from the OPs post because at the end of the day I have no complete shoe buckles at all (I mean with there guts). Therefore, this & the other very early buckle is a GREAT DAY!! CONGRATS.

 

[danjsargent]

Congrats on some amazing finds! What an excellent hunt

 

[Steve in PA]

Fantastic find on the silver shoe buckle! Sorry about your button you lost. I put my buttons and coins in little 2x2 zip lock bags, and I put the bags in a hard plastic eyeglass case that snaps shut.

 

[Scrappy]

OK take your word on it, not checked the book recently. Although it does seem an odd combination, most making a 'quality' object in silver would do all the moving parts.
That apart, the images to me don't look silver, although in person maybe a different deal.
Once again, you know I take nothing from the OPs post because at the end of the day I have no complete shoe buckles at all (I mean with there guts). Therefore, this & the other very early buckle is a GREAT DAY!! CONGRATS.

My thoughts exactly about the silver and Iron. Perhaps it was an early attempt to manufacture items with a weak part in order to maintain steady sales?

I looked it up after I commented to make sure I was remembering correctly. Here's a snippet from Whitehead:

 

[Isaac]

Silver with iron guts is more plausible than one with brass guts. That's because the iron was silver colored at one time, where as brass was gold colored, making it non-matching.

 

[The Rebel]

Either way it's an awesome buckle to have and not left in the dirt. You'll find the button and it's a sign that while your're looking for it, you'll also find some more goodies along the way.

 

[Scrappy]

Silver with iron guts is more plausible than one with brass guts. That's because the iron was silver colored at one time, where as brass was gold colored, making it non-matching.

With the exception of silvered copper alloys....

Here's a good example.

 

[CRUSADER]

Silver with iron guts is more plausible than one with brass guts. That's because the iron was silver colored at one time, where as brass was gold colored, making it non-matching.

No-one mentioned brass, I stated silver.

 

[Mr. Digger]

Wow very nice...two amazing buckles! Congrats.

 

[Silvermonkey]

I love finding buckles, and have found a few...but your buckle is stellar! Congrats.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Sure love the beautiful buckle, congratulations!

 

[cjon455]

Freakin fantastic buckle!, very cool congrats

 

[fernald1]

Thanks for the comments. I think that the shoe may just be plated silver. It is definitely silver. Has some weight to it. Thought it may be solid silver but there are a couple spots that are greenish that leads me to believe it is plated. I thought it was odd to have the mix of metals. Others I have found in the past were all brass

 

[CRUSADER]

Thanks for the comments. I think that the shoe may just be plated silver. It is definitely silver. Has some weight to it. Thought it may be solid silver but there are a couple spots that are greenish that leads me to believe it is plated. I thought it was odd to have the mix of metals. Others I have found in the past were all brass

OK, that does make more sense. Otherwise it was a really rare find, at least that combo!

I've yet to get a whole one because I mostly hunt ploughed land.