Suspender Buckle /Garter buckle - Age?

[TheDirtKing]

Is there any way to roughly date this suspender buckle or garter buckle? All other items found in the same field are dating to 1860s.... 1868 shield nickel, henry rimfire cartridges, SAW rimfire cartridges, etc... is this consistent with that time period? Cool that it has those two birds which make me think maybe its a garter buckle...

 

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[Javadroid]

I'm not sure what you have there mate, but a garter buckle would make sense and be a rather interesting find in a field! So cheers to her, whoever she was!

 

[Tony in SC]

Time period looks good. In this case I think the size could determine which one it is. What size is it?

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

On suspenders-buckles, the "sawtoothed bar" type of clamp (which we see on your buckle) seems to not show up until the 1870s. Although it's not exactly identical to yours, the one in the photo below was patented in 1871.

 

[TheDirtKing]

Time period looks good. In this case I think the size could determine which one it is. What size is it?

Tony, its about 1.5" in either direction ... I was thinking maybe too big for a garter buckle

 

[East Coast Relics on FB]

That is a very nice suspender buckle! I've seen that one before and it was described as a "Civil War" suspender buckle found in a camp. TheCannonballGuy is right. It is not the same style as the one shown in his picture. The style in his picture comes in a huge variety and all have a patent date on them. Usually there is also 3 numbers. For example... PAT 420 1871. The 420 could be April 20, but I think it is the size or possibly the style. The numbers change frequently. Plus I have one that reads 432...that can't be April 32, lol. The one you posted doesn't have a patent date. Those type usually never does until you get into the 70's. For the most part, if it is from the 70's, it will say so. I believe you are correct with your time period. Nice find!