✅ SOLVED What type of Buckle & How Old?

Wildcat1750 · Oct 28, 2016

I found this 1 ½ x2 3/4 buckle in my collection of rusting, flaking relics and thought it might look a lot better cleaned up. After a day or 2 in Evapo Rust and buffing with a wire wheel the resulting buckle showed a little more character and detail than expected. It is waiting to be oven baked with a coating of Crisco next.

Is this a buckle from a horse harness or saddle or could it be a from a belt for a person? Also what might be the approximate age? It was found on my property in CT where a 1750s farmhouse once stood.

Thanks for looking. Any help will be appreciated.

Nick

Rogue Relic Hunter · Oct 28, 2016

not sure on the buckle but would LOVE to dig that 1750's farm house. would be awesome. congrats!

Wildcat1750 · Oct 28, 2016

Rogue Relic Hunter said:
not sure on the buckle but would LOVE to dig that 1750's farm house. would be awesome. congrats!

Thanks, Rogue. The best part is I can walk out the door and hunt. It still takes perseverance and many hours of hours of digging nothing but nails on most days. Every once and a while the soil gives up something special! :thumbsup:

BARKER · Oct 28, 2016

Hi; The buckle I believe is a Shoe Buckle and most likely dates to the house in 1750. It is definitely Colonial ok. Nice find. PEACE:RONB

HINT: Look around for where they planted the crops. Usually close to the house. That is where youv will make the better or most finds ok. Good Luck.

Rogue Relic Hunter · Oct 28, 2016

Wildcat1750 said:
Thanks, Rogue. The best part is I can walk out the door and hunt. It still takes perseverance and many hours of hours of digging nothing but nails on most days. Every once and a while the soil gives up something special!

that is what i did today, dug a lot of trash, but that 1908 V nickle was well worth the 4 hours and bending and digging the junk. heading back tomorrow and going to hunt it more. take your time and enjoy those hunts.

Wildcat1750 · Oct 28, 2016

BARKER said:
Hi; The buckle I believe is a Shoe Buckle and most likely dates to the house in 1750. It is definitely Colonial ok. Nice find. PEACE:RONB

HINT: Look around for where they planted the crops. Usually close to the house. That is where youv will make the better or most finds ok. Good Luck.

Thanks, Ron! I had that hunch about it but I didn't think I could be that lucky. :icon_thumright:

BARKER · Oct 28, 2016

Hi; Yup, Nice find. I get them a LOT. Good hunting. PEACE:RONB

Wildcat1750 · Oct 28, 2016

BARKER said:
Hi; Yup, Nice find. I get them a LOT. Good hunting. PEACE:RONB

Thanks for your help, RONB. I think I'll mark this one solved! :thumbsup:

BARKER · Oct 29, 2016

Hi; The value on that buckle is $20 - $30 because it is intact. If it was broken it woul;d not be worth anything ok. Nice find. PEACE:RONB

coinman123 · Oct 29, 2016

Not a shoe buckle, the pin on a shoe buckle is vertical. The pin would be a separate piece inserted in small holes, so you could move the chape and tongue. I thought it might be a knee buckle, because the pin would be horizontal, like your buckle. But again, knee buckles are typically two pieces. Another piece that indicates your buckle is neither a shoe buckle or knee buckle is the fact that it has a one pronged iron tongue. A shoe or knee buckle would have a brass two pronged tongue and a chape.

To me it looks like a belt buckle or strap buckle. It looks very similar to some belt buckles or musket sling buckles used by the British soldiers in the Revolutionary War. There is a chance it is military, but it is much more likely that it is civilian. It is very hard to put a date on buckles like that, but I would guess it is from late 1700's to mid 1800's. It is extremely hard to tell the difference between civilian buckles and military buckles, unless there is a design. I found a buckle I was convinced was a late 1600's shoe buckle, I was extremely disappointed to find out it was a buckle from the late 1800's. I would send a Private Message to CRUSADER, he is always really good at identifying items like this.

I hope I helped!

coinman123 · Oct 29, 2016

Here's a link to a sling buckle someone found, and a shoe buckle. As you can see, the sling buckle looks slightly sturdier and the shape is a little different, which leads me to believe your buckle is not a sling buckle.
After some research I am pretty sure it is civilian.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/t...n-rev-war-buckle-silver-shoe-buckle-more.html

Wildcat1750 · Oct 31, 2016

coinman123 said:
Not a shoe buckle, the pin on a shoe buckle is vertical. The pin would be a separate piece inserted in small holes, so you could move the chape and tongue. I thought it might be a knee buckle, because the pin would be horizontal, like your buckle. But again, knee buckles are typically two pieces. Another piece that indicates your buckle is neither a shoe buckle or knee buckle is the fact that it has a one pronged iron tongue. A shoe or knee buckle would have a brass two pronged tongue and a chape.
View attachment 1375820
View attachment 1375821
To me it looks like a belt buckle or strap buckle. It looks very similar to some belt buckles or musket sling buckles used by the British soldiers in the Revolutionary War. There is a chance it is military, but it is much more likely that it is civilian. It is very hard to put a date on buckles like that, but I would guess it is from late 1700's to mid 1800's. It is extremely hard to tell the difference between civilian buckles and military buckles, unless there is a design. I found a buckle I was convinced was a late 1600's shoe buckle, I was extremely disappointed to find out it was a buckle from the late 1800's. I would send a Private Message to CRUSADER, he is always really good at identifying items like this.

I hope I helped!

Thanks, coinman123! Yes, you really helped a lot! :icon_thumright:

Coincidently I showed my buckle to a friend of mine yesterday and he told me the same thing. He and his wife are revolutionary war re-enactors and know their stuff. He is with Bultler's Rangers and his wife is a farmer's wife from that time period. I was ready to update my thread when I saw your 2 posts. Thanks again! :notworthy:

Nick

coinman123 · Nov 1, 2016

Wildcat1750 said:
Thanks, coinman123! Yes, you really helped a lot! Coincidently I showed my buckle to a friend of mine yesterday and he told me the same thing. He and his wife are revolutionary war re-enactors and know their stuff. He is with Bultler's Rangers and his wife is a farmer's wife from that time period. I was ready to update my thread when I saw your 2 posts. Thanks again!
Nick

No problem! After looking at it more I think it may be some form of revolutionary war buckle! I am happy to help! Cool find!