Buckles & Plates

SWEET "US" Arrow Hook Early-Dug Belt Buckle & Eagle Breastplate with Complete Loops and Carved Letter "F"

Ah yes...some "old school" quality of the early "good old days" of relic hunting!  Offered here for sale out of my friend's collection are two early-dug, classic Federal plates: one is your standard, but GORGEOUS in CHOCOLATE-BROWN, SMOOTH PATINA, "US" arrow-hook belt buckle, with all hooks intact, solid lead in the back, and no damage to that GORGEOUS face and look!

As well comes a chocolate brownish/deep-woods greenish patina early-dug Eagle Breastplate, with both iron loops intact (flat) and the Billy Yank Carved the letter "F" very visibly...and BACKWARDS!

My friend is selling both separate, and there's no deal if bought together...and no reason for one when they're this purdy!!!

$223 for the US Buckle

$173 for the Breastplate

Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures

Gorgeous "VMM" Intact w/Hook Plate !!!

From the AWARD-WINNING Plate Personal Display and Collection of Mr. Don Phillips!

The Classic Volunteer Militia of Maine Infantryman's Plate

Plate 557 in O'Donnell & Campbell

Measures 42mm by 72mm -- INTACT ORIGINAL Hook!

Yet another BEAUTY from the AWARD-WINNING, truly RENOWN plate collection and display of Mr. Don Phillips, this classic Maine Militia Plate has "got it all"---quite literally!  Not only does it have "that perfect look"--that perfect dug-greenish patina--but the intact original hook in the back as well!  The plate has been passed-around for inspection--not because of ANY question of authenticity--it IS 100% the REAL DEAL BEAUTY it is!  However, some see the striation or marks in the face where it might have been professionally repaired by one of the "masters" of buckle repairs.  It was SOLD to Don as being UN-REPAIRED, and he believes it NOT to be repaired, by his expert eye.  However, again, there are those who disagree.  So, to be fair--like the great gentleman Don is--he said to PRICE IT  as if it had some repair.  IF it ever WAS repaired, it was only a crack or two, for you can see the lines in the plate might be such a repair--but it could also just have had those lines in the face becacuse of where/how it was dug, or it was bent and straightened, etc, etc. 

One thing is for darn sure...it's BEAUTIFUL...beautiful enough that the BEST COLLECTOR of plates alive TODAY bought it for his collection...thus...WORTHY of YOURS!

$898  Sale Pending

Gorgeous & REAL BULLET-STRUCK US Boxplate

From the Confederate Buckle, AWARD-WINNING, Personal Display and Collection of Mr. Don Phillips!

Don ONLY Collected THE BEST...& this is ONE of them!

And YES, EVERYONE has "BLESSED IT"...the Real Deal

Once again, Don Phillips ONLY COLLECTS the BEST.  He is so well connected with all the TOP DEALERS, COLLECTORS, EXPERTS, etc.  This absolutely 100% AUTHENTIC, REAL BULLET-STRUCK plate (or possibly a case-shot--whatever it was it, was around the size of a .44 caliber pistol/revolver lead ball in most everyone's opinion--but still possibly a true LARGE MINNIE' BALL that struck AT AN ANGLE).  It is a GORGEOUS, early-dug standard US boxplate, and it is obvious that the projectile/bullet/ball entered from the BACK SIDE.  Being an Engineer by Degree and previous trade (ah...I never KNEW all that Physics and metallurgy study and work would come so IMPORTANT in selling Civil War artifacts!!!), combined with the common knowledge that the cartridge box was stationed on the back left hip/buttock of each soldier, this would mean that the ball/projectile WENT THROUGH THE SOLDIER....and THEN THROUGH THE CARTRIDGE BOX...THEN through the OUTER FLAP and THEN THROUGH THIS PLATE on the cartridge box outer flap.  I will also note that later in the war, VETERAN TROOPS in VERY HARD and HEAVY COMBAT would pull their cartridge boxes from their backside toward their front right-hand side, so they could more quickly and easily grab their packs of ammo to load.  However....once AGAIN...even if this were the case, the ball/projectile HAD TO GO THROUGH THE BODY of the SOLDIER, in ORDER TO COME-OUT THROUGH THE CARTRIDGE BOX, and then THROUGH THE BOXPLATE.  PERIOD.  And Physics/ballistics are actually "talking" to us when you look at the actual strike/impact in the plate: we know that ball ammunition of the Civil War period were projectiles shot at a LOW VELOCITY (comparatively speaking to today's ammunition/ballistics).  Thus, depending upon certain variables, such how CLOSE or FAR AWAY the shooter who shot this solder and his boxplate, at what angle in penetrated and then exited, and the amount of body mass it had to go through--THEN go through the cartridge box itself--is THE REASON why the "impact hole" did not cause more DAMAGE to the plate, itself.  Clearly, you can see how the lead rounded projectile created "striations" or "skid-marks" into the soft lead filling of the back of the plate where it entered, and how it blew/bent the plate SLIGHTLY outwards (as it should) from the force of the projectile going straight-through.  The Physics tells us that it STILL had enough force to go through a soldier AND his entire cartridge box, THEN make a "clean-shot" through the plate...but NOT ENOUGH FORCE to cause the plate to implode, fold, fracture, crack, etc, more than the rather clean-shot through the soft lead and thin sheet-brass outer US die-struck plate face.  So it clearly proves the poor soldier wasn't shot at a VERY CLOSE/POINT-BLANK DISTANCE AT ALL--the Physics/ballistics involved would have caused MUCH MORE DAMAGE to the plate.  And it was also not shot at a very long distance, for the projectile had enough force/mass, despite the low velocity, to go through the soldier, his cartridge box, and then a "clean-shot" through the plate with minimal impact to the plate.

Well...want a REAL BULLET-STRUCK US BOXPLATE, from the now MOST RENOWN PLATE/BUCKLE collector on the planet....or not???  And YES, Mr. Phillips can sign you a letter (and like I said before....BETTER HANG ON TO HIS AUTOGRAPH!!!  Bet me on this one!!!)

$1498  SOLD

About the Most BEAUTIFUL "OVM" Boxplate Ever!

The RARE, Thin-Lettered Variant! (Not Even Listed in O'Donnell & Campbell's "American Military Belt Plates")

From the Confederate Buckle, AWARD-WINNING Personal Display and Collection of Mr. Don Phillips!

Don ONLY Collected THE BEST...& this is ONE of them!

This beauty comes from consignment from the NEW KING of belt buckles and plates!  Now we dealers KNOW who Don Phillips is--because he has single-handedly taken it upon himself to collect the most ASTOUNDING collection of dug and non-dug plates, SPECIALIZING in Confederate plates, of course.  He has graciously shared his mind-blowing, BEYOND MUSEUM QUALITY collection of ALL of the RAREST Confederate buckles (as well as every kind, style, and variant) known to exist with his AWARD-WINNING DISPLAY he has begun setting-up this year at the Dalton Show, Fredericksburg Show, Marietta Show, and Richmond Show.  Much thanks to the "Godfather" of CS plates, Mr. Steve Mullinax--who has done the field of CS plate authentification and identification the GREATEST service--as well as MANY other dealers, such as myself, Mr. Don Phillips has only acquired and amassed the BEST.  Now--you are probably thinking, "Well, then, WHY is he selling THIS PLATE?!"  Simple answer from Don's mouth...."I can't possibly have 2, 3, or 4 of EVERY PLATE known to exist!!!"  Plus, as you can well imagine...collecting the RAREST of CS plates is NOT CHEAP, and so letting go of some Northern plates to help his cash-flow for Southern plates is warranted.

This is the classic "Ohio Volunteer Militia" OVM BOXPLATE that is CLEARLY an early-dug specimen from the early to mid-19th Century.  The facial features and detail being so perfectly crisp, soft-aged facial patina with NO oxidation or "crud" to detract from it, and SOLID lead in the back.  Oddly, the boxplate hooks (usually brass) are COMPLETELY GONE--I mean, you don't really can't even see a REMNANT sticking out of the lead.  It was such a clean "break" when it broke (or the soldier rendered it so), that you can only see the "ghostly" outline of the wiring underneath within the lead-filling.

The plate measures approx. 87mm by 55mm.  It is NOT pictured in the O'Donnell and Campbell "American Military Belt Plates", and no specimens are pictured similar to THIS STYLE at all.  However, this style of the THIN LETTERING--though FAR RARER--is well documented, and does bear some similarities to some "SNY" plates of the same "THIN LETTERED" style.  Speculation debates upon whether this is a pre-war militia plate, or wartime specimen.  But ALL KNOW it is a WARTIME SPECIMEN...and with about the prettiest face you will EVER SEE!  And if you want a personal letter from Mr. Phillips, regarding its pedigree through him...he'll be glad to write you one!!!  (Watch-out....his autograph may ITSELF be WORTH SOMETHING someday!!!  You're the BEST, Don!)

$1998  Sale Pending

Just Dug Last Weekend Near Vicksburg!!!

This GORGEOUS & COMPLETE CSA Rectangle!

The "Virginia" Style (Plate 109 in Mullinax's Book)

Perfect Patina...PERFECT Hooks...PERFECT Body Curve!

Found just last weekend by local Vicksburg relic hunters (NO...I CAN'T SAY WHERE...come on now...you know better!), this beautiful specimen just goes to show how GENTLE and UN-MINERALIZED our most geologically unique soil is in the Vicksburg/Delta area.  The official name for the soil only found in this region, and in China, is called "loess", which for us, was created by massive, ancient dust storms 50,000 to 60,000 years ago that raged across the plains and flatlands west of the Mississippi River, but then his the immediate elevational change on the eastern bank of the River (the western border today of Mississippi at Vicksburg), and these huge storms would just dissipate, dumping this fine, extremely porous and very low minerlized soil.  This is why so much brass and iron TO THIS DAY are still being dug in this kind of condition exemplified here with this plate!  Measuring 48mm by 70mm...it's a "textbook" example, and you WON'T DIG ONE BETTER TODAY!

$2798  SOLD

FINEST of the FINE!

SPECTACULAR "CS Clip Corner" w/Spun Hooks Plate

Plate 126 In Mullinax's 1993 Updated Edition

GORGEOUS, UNTOUCHED Patina, with No Cracks, No Repairs, Hooks Intact

(One Hook has Casting Flaw, Another has the TINY TIP that Chipped-Off From Molding Cooling)

Originally Owned by Steve Mullinax--Coming Through Award-Winning CS Buckle Display/Collector, Mr. Don Phillips

Indeed, this is one SPECTACULAR CS "Clip Corner" and "Spun Hooks", thick-cast specimen, essentially identical to Plate 126 in Mullinax's 1993 Expanded Edition CS belt Plate Reference book.  Measuring 46mm by 71mm, this beauty has an EXCELLENT "body curve" to the piece.  This version of the clip corner has the very small diameter, and very LIGHT "spun hooks", where the lathe-finishing was performed around the hooks.  This was a VERY EARLY DUG specimen, showing the most GORGEOUS, UNTOUCHED patina, being a deep-woods green to almost golden brown!  You just don't see or DIG THEM like THIS anymore!  And the original enamel?  99% of it is SOLIDLY INTACT!!!  These plates were a staple of the arsenal-made plates supplied to the Army of the Tennessee here in the Western Theater, and are amongst the most beautiful and desirable "CS" plates.  They are also notorious for having casting flaws in the thin/ brittle hooks (pictured in Mullinax's book on several "Clip Corner" specimens), and this one bears the same on the main hook where the very end is jaggedly casted from the rough sand-casting and the inability for the bras to flow properly into the cast.  Also, one of the hooks has the very tiny tip broken off, where in the cooling process, the thin and brittle brass cracked the tiny tip off. 

Originally owned by STEVE MULLINAX, himself (!!!), this plate is a consignment piece, coming through the award-winning display/collector of CS plates, Mr. Don Phillips, and his great friend, Mr. Gary Doster.

Museum and award-winning quality...from Champion Hill Relics to YOU!

$3498  SOLD

Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures

Arguably THE FINEST Dug Specimen Existing!

100% Untouched, Complete, PERFECT with All 3 Original Hooks Intact, Pelican Buckle From the 4th Louisiana

Plate # 286 in Mullinax's 1993 Edition CS Reference Book

Has Mullinax & Rick Burton Letters of Authenticity!

Better yet, Written on the Back is the Relic Hunter's Provenance of being "4th LA  Secessionville SC  JW 1960"

Indeed, of the 3 Regiments Stationed at Secessionville (Fort Lamar) was the 1st and 9th South Carolina Infantry Regiments...and the ONLY LOUISIANA REGIMENT anywhere near Secessionville, (let alone near Charleston)....the 4th Louisiana!

Coming from the Award-Winning CS Buckle Display of Mr. Claude Maley

As always, I just LOVE to bring the FINEST, "museum" and "collector's" quality, award-winning relics with KILLER, with letters of authenticity from the BEST in the industry, and REAL HISTORY behind them!  Coming straight from Mr. Claude Maley's award-winning CS and relic display/collection (winning "Best Excavated Relics Display" at the Nashville Show just a few years ago with THIS PLATE in the display), is this arguably FINEST EXAMPLE of the Louisiana Pelican Buckle, #286 in Mullinax's 1993 edition of his CS belt buckle reference book.  It is 100% INTACT...UNTOUCHED...COMPLETE with ORIGINAL HOOKS...NO REPAIRS...and truly, MINT EXCAVATED CONDITION.  Has the most gorgeous deep, even, rich green patina over the entire brass die-struck face of the plate.  The original 3 hooks are PERFECTLY intact.  Bought back in 2005 originally from Rick Burton of Carolina Collector's Civil War Relics, you not only have HIS letter of authenticity, but "THE MAN" himself, a letter of authenticity from Mr. Steve Mullinax!!!

But wait...THERE'S MORE!  The digger who found this clearly early-dug plate back in 1960 wrote on the back the following provenance: "4th Louisiana Secessionville SC  JW  1960".  Wish I knew who the digger's initials of "JW" stood for!  But one thing is for sure...when I did the quick research into 4th Louisiana Infantry battalion, up popped their history and greatest battle and triumph the regiment faced...the Battle of Secessionville on June 16, 1862.  When I searched the history of Secessionville and the battle...sure enough...the ONLY LOUISIANA REGIMENT EVER to be in, around, or remotely NEAR Secessionville was the 4th Louisiana Battalion Infantry Regiment!  Attached is a beautiful battle map of the battle, and how the 1st and 9th South Carolina Infantry regiments, and with the 4th Louisiana, manned Fort Lamar protecting the approach to Secessionville and the all-important harbor.  Two Federal brigades (without orders--quite a little "pickle" happened with the battlefield commander with his superior who did NOT order the ill-fated frontal attacks!) tried valiantly to over-take the 3 under-strength Confederate regiments....but the South Carolinians and 4th Louisiana Cajuns HELD FIRM and forced great casualties upon their attacking foe.

The AWARD-WINNING and BEST EXAMPLE (in my opinion)...100% INTACT...100% ORIGINAL...100% UNTOUCHED/UN-REPAIRED...100% AUTHENTIC (letter from Steve Mullinax and Rick Burton)...and 100% ID'ed to the 4th Louisiana Battalion Infantry at the Battle of Secessionville, dug back in 1960.

Top that!

$5500  SOLD!!!

Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures

SWEET, Rarer Excavated "Thin Beveled-Edge", Small "Cavalry" Confederate Frame Buckle

Plate #  164/165 in Mullinax's 1993 CS Reference Book

SWEET example of the rarer little frame buckle in the most beautiful, untouched condition and patina, being identical to plates#164 and 165, the "thin beveled-edge" and "CAVALRY"  frame buckles (as we collector's do refer to them as, and are almost exclusively dug within only CS cavalry camps!)  GORGEOUS example.  No REPAIRS WHATSOEVER...just some body curving/"waving" from being on a cavalrymen or in the ground.  Displays PERFECTLY!

$598  Sale Pending

Arguably the FINEST Dug Specimen Existing!!!

The Rare & Highly Sought-After 6th NCST Belt Buckle!!

From the Award-Winning Collection/Display of Claude Maley

Plate # 340/341 In Mullinax's CS Buckle Reference Book

My good friend, Mr. Claude Maley, is a VERY TIGHT man, monetarily....except when it comes to his children/grandchildren, dug/relic condition weapons from the Civil War...and CS BELT BUCKLES!  Those of you who attend the Nashville Show (now "Franklin") have seen his award-winning display, so you've seen this plate before!  And he's won awards with this plate and many other CS plates and/or dug weapons at other shows (Vicksburg, Memphis, etc).  But to WIN AT NASHVILLE--with all those "BIG CHIEFS" and "EXPERTS" as part of the judging committee--you KNOW it's got to be THAT GOOD!  He won "Best Relic Display" at the Nashville Show with this very buckle (and other buckles and relics) just a couple of years ago, and has the plaque to prove it!  Claude has been beleaguered and berated by many a relic dealer and buckle collector (including some true "million-dollar" collectors!) about trying to pry this plate from his collection.

That time has COME NOW!

This is the rare and most desirable/collectable 6th North Carolina State Troops regimental belt buckle, made only in 1861 at the outbreak of the war, by a small railway shop in Greensboro, North Carolina, as the 6th NCST was preparing to head to Virginia.  It is one of the VERY FEW Confederate "Unit" plates EVER MADE--thus the rarity factor (the "Savannah Rifles" and "Vicksburg Sharp Shooter's" plates come to mind...and I think that's about it as far as CS wartime unit plates are concerned--I'd have to double-check with Mullinax's book).  This plate has the MOST GORGEOUS PATINA you will EVER FIND!  With barely a scratch or blemish, the completely even, smooth, deep and rich green patina from this VERY EARLY DUG specimen is phenomenal.  "Mouth-watering" is how I PERSONALLY DESCRIBE the PATINA and APPEARANCE!!!  As is well documented, despite the thickness and clear casting quality of the plate itself, the attachment/soldering of the hooks were atrociously FLIMSY and UNRELIABLE.  Most are found WITHOUT the hooks because they so easily came-off, and were discarded.  Most specimens are found hookless and coming from their winter camps of 1861/2 in Virginia, as this one did.  Only a few camp and battlefield-dug specimens have been found with all hooks, and of course, the few non-dug specimens that exist.

I'll let the pictures do the selling for me. 

SOLD

GORGEOUS CS "Clip Corner" Belt Buckle

Dug Within General Forrest's Camp Outside Tupelo, MS

By None-Other than Dr. Robert McDaniel

100% Intact ORIGINAL 3 (unspun) Hooks, Loads of Original Enamel

Plate #129/130 Out of Mullinax's Book (1993 Edition)

Comes with LETTER of Authenticity from Rafael Eledge of Shiloh Relics When Originally Sold

GORGEOUS CS Clip Corner with lots of original enamel, WITH LETTER OF AUTHENTICITY FROM RAPHAEL ELEDGE of Shiloh Relics!  So NO WORRIES with this CS plate!!!!   It was dug by none-other than Dr. Robert McDaniel himself from within a Forrest encampment outside of Tupelo, MS...it did come out of a firepit, and as Rafael explains in his Letter of Authenticity, and Robert--the true CS brass MUSEUM-QUALITY restorationist-- repaired just the edge of one side of the plate--you can't even notice with Robert's mastery!  Anyway, it's a classic Mullinax Plate #129/130 out of his book--ALL THREE ORIGINAL CAST HOOKS (not spun). 

At this price, being a General FORREST Trooper's PLATE, having the ASSURANCE from Mr. Rafael Eledge of Shiloh Relics, and dug buy one our industry's TOP relic hunters and restorationists....GOOD LUCK finding one better, more historic, guaranteed in authenticity, and at this price!

$1898  Sold

Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures

KILLER Non-Dug Louisiana Pelican Plate

100% Untouched, Original, Unrepaired

100% INTACT ORIGINAL HOOKS!!!

From the Award-Winning Confederate Buckle Display/Collection of Mr. Don Phillips of Georgia (Plate #286 in Mullinax's 1993 Edition)

KILLER NON-DUG Louisiana Plate with ALL ORIGINAL HOOKS INTACT, from the award-winning collection of Don Phillips (he just set-up and won his first award here at Dalton!  He literally owns one of EVERY CS PLATE KNOWN TO EXIST.  I am good friends with him, and it's a consignment piece through him.  The ONLY reason he is selling this plate was easily explained to me by Don: "John...I've acquired over 100 CS plates in the last 3 years now... and I have an excavated example of Louisiana Plate #286 I bought FROM STEVE MULLINAX and is PICTURED on the FRONT COVER of his 1993 Edition CS Plates reference book....I don't need to have TWO of every CS plate known!  One is enough!  And I'd rather keep the one that is PUBLISHED on Mullina'xs cover and from Mullinax's personal collection!")  It is plate #286 in Mullinax's (1993 edition).  This non-dug specimen is 100% guaranteed 100% AUTHENTIC, UNTOUCHED, UNREPAIRED, NO DAMAGE, 100% original.  Feel free to contact Don or Steve Mullinax regarding this beauty!  It's KILLER!!!!!   And BARGAIN-PRICED like "yester-year!"

$4595  SOLD

Spectacular Gettysburg Early-Dug US Breastplate

Found Along the Blacksmith Shop Road

Comes w/Original "Horse Soldier" Letter of Authenticity

A STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL, early-dug Federal eagle breast plate that was recovered along Blacksmith Shop Road at Gettysburg.  This area is behind the Roundtops and would have been a Federal reserve and supply wagon area.  It comes in a custom made holder I made years ago for it.  Light chocolate covered face with no dings or problems--ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!  100% of lead is there with only one hook left.  Comes with the original Horse Soldier relic show Letter of Authenticity--so you KNOW it's 100% GETTYSBURG LEGIT!

$450  SOLD

Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures

Spectacular US Breastplate w/Both Hooks

Dug from the Bloody Wheatfield of Gettysburg in 1950

Spectacular and historic Federal eagle breast plate that the current owner bought years ago out of a Gettysburg estate sale from the famous, blood-soaked Wheatfield at Gettysburg.  Dark colored patina--CLASSIC early-found quality that was so common of finds made decades ago (this one being from 1950).  All of the lead in the back is good, and BOTH attachment hooks firmly in place!  Custom display plaque shows this beauty for what it is--a true piece of early-dug Gettysburg history, soaked in the blood of those wearing the Blue and Grey through the Wheatfield.  A notarized letter stating these facts from the owner shall be provided by the current owner for the future owner.

Here's a piece of that bloody history from the most epic apogee battle with the deadliest harvest of the entire War...for less than a car payment!  Heck, the plate without it's Gettysburg history is worth the price WITH the custom oak display case alone!

$450  SOLD

Literally "Museum-Quality" US Waist Belt

From the Gettysburg Shield's Museum Auction!

Lot Number 176, Acquired at the Public Auction of the Shield's Museum Items on November 16th, 1985

Nope--no joke, my friends--this is a REAL Gettysburg relic, AND one coming from the famous Shield's Museum, once it was closed-down and auctioned-off back in 1985.  Originally purchased by the original owner, then sold through Mr. Thomas Fultz of the 149th Bucktails/Thomas Fultz Civil War Relics, his notarized letter of sale and authenticity accompanies this piece to the next owner of this beautiful original US arrow-hook, all intact, unrepaired US belt buckle and leather belt.  Museum-quality, and GETTYSBURG at that! FOR REAL!!!

$550  SOLD

Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures

SWEETEST SNY Puppy-Paw Belt Buckle

Chocolate-Perfection, Early-Dug Patina--Intact Puppy-Paw Studs and Hook

From the Award-Winning Excavated Competition Display Collection of Mr. Claude Maley

Ahhhhh.....(drool coming out the side of my mouth)....not a whole lot to say about this one.  It's...ahhh....just about as fine as you'll ever see!  No digger's "kiss" from his shovel....no bent or flaking edges....perfect chocolate-brown (like a Hershey Bar!) patina....puppy-paw studs and hook perfect.  No damage...no repairs...no hairline cracking....no "monkey-business".

As Forrest Gump would say, "That's all I got to say about that..." I'll let the pictures do the talking for me!

$899 SOLD

EXCELLENT CSA Dug Rectangle Buckle

Early Find From The Historic & Epic Battle of Brice's Crossroads

General Forrest's GREATEST VICTORY and Legendary Battle !!!!

Undamaged, Unrepaired, ALL HOOKS 100% Intact !!!

Plate 095 in Mullinax's 1993 Expanded Edition Buckle Book

Coming from the climactic and most extraordinary Battle of Brice's Crossroads--scene of Forrest's GREATEST ULTIMATE VICTORY in the field (and that's saying a LOT since he kicked butt everywhere he went), this early dug Atlanta Arsenal Plate is a GORGEOUS BEAUTY indeed!  The patina is the most pleasing and classic quality you expect from such early-found plates--a mixture of brown and green smoothly over the plate.  Not a nick or scratch ANYWHERE, and NO REPAIRS, NO DAMAGE or alterations whatsoever.  It measures 49mm by 69mm, being that of Plate 095 in Mullinax's CS Buckle Reference Book (1993 Expanded Edition).  ALL of the hooks are 100% INTACT!!!!  The main attachment hook is bent at the tip somewhat back on itself--which would explain why the plate fell-off so easily (the hook needs to point INWARD, not outward, or it'll slip right out of the belt hole!)

No apologies to make here.  So much beauty and history all in this outstanding Confederate plate worn and lost by one of Forrest's troopers in the ultimate triumphant victory of his career of so many glorious victories on that day, on that field in Northern Mississippi on June 10th, 1864.....

$2298  Sold

Battle Map Of Forrest's Brilliant Fighting And Total Rout of Sturgis, Despite Being Overwhelmingly Outnumbered

Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures

Consignor says, "Let's Get it SOLD!"  Price Reduced!

GORGEOUS & HISTORIC CS "Egg Oval" Belt Plate

FULL Historical Provenance, and Digger's Information

EXCLUSIVELY a Plate from one of Brig. General Green's Arkansas Brigade Soldiers

From the Fateful Battle of Port Gibson (MS) May 1st, 1861

Recovered by my friend Don Lackey in 1976

FULL Battle Maps, USGS Topo Maps, and Photographs of where precisely found

NO REPAIRS, Cracking, or Damage (unlike 99.8% of all Egg Ovals you see for sale) Majority of Telegraph Wire Hooks Intact! 

This is more than just merely a most gorgeous example of the classic, crude, and simplistic "CS" marked belt buckles....it has an incredible history to tell.  Not only does it have the most perfectly beautiful, untouched, rich original "fluorescent forest green" patina that you DROOL over to see, on both the front and back, but it has NOT ONE CRACK...NOT ONE REPAIR...HAS NOT BEEN TO ROBERT McDANIAL for any "alteration" or fixing whatsoever...and has most of the original telegraph wire hooks intact.  And it gets better: my very good local friend from Raymond, Mississippi has the FULL documentation of the provenance of this plate he dug--one of many he dug upon the Battle of Port Gibson, Mississippi bloody forests and ravines.  Like Champion Hill is to me, so is Port Gibson is to my buddy Don.  It is his most sacred and favorite spot in the world (and my 2nd most sacred spot in the world!)  Only the VERY ASTUTE historians know about the Battle of Port Gibson--because it was indeed the "beginning of the end" of the South for the entire War.  Over the previous months, Grant had tried 6 different operations to either take, bypass altogether, or force the Confederate abandonment of Vicksburg from the protection across the rivers of the mighty Mississippi River, and from the Yazoo River running into the Mississippi.  The mighty "Gibraltar of the West"--Vicksburg--bristled with heavy guns...heavy enough to sink and damage enough of Grant's navy and transport ships.  His attempt at sending Sherman at the end of 1862 in the Chickasaw Bayou attacks were disastrous, to say the least.  Other expeditions up tributaries of the Yazoo were equally for naught, as was the debacle of trying to build a  canal cutting across land in the low, Louisiana swampy flat-lands west of Vicksburg.  Lincoln made very simple and clear regarding the war and how important Vicksburg was to it's victory or defeat: "Vicksburg is the key...with the key in our pocket, we can open the door to [total] victory...".  Grant failed miserably at the previous 6 attempts...but as we all know--his greatest strength was his tenacity despite ALL COSTS of lives or failures.  He decided to make an extremely risky run past the deadly guns of Vicksburg, and lower Warrenton, and THEN the bristling fortress at Grand Gulf further south of Vicksburg on the Mississippi River.  But after successfully having his navy and transports run the gauntlets, AND his entire army march overland on the western bank of the river on the Louisiana side, by the last days of April 1863, Grant was ready to make THE LARGEST AMPHIBIOUS LANDING OF US ARMED FORCES until D-Day in 1944.  Crossing at a small, sleepy town of Bruinsburg, Mississippi, Grant's landings were unopposed...but Pemberton knew that Grant had at least 36,000 men that were crossing somewhere below Grand Gulf, and assumed correctly that Port Gibson would be the perfect place he would head inland to, in order to follow the Natchez Trace/Jackson Road further inland to make his encirclement of Vicksburg.  Under a clear and full moon-lit night, just after midnight of May 1st, 1863, the scouts and skirmishers of CS Brig. General Green's Arkansas Brigade made first contact and exchange of gunfire around the Shaifer house on the lower Bruinsburg road.  Grant's 36,000 men ran into the tiny "roadblock" of this single brigade of stalwart Arkansans under the moonlight, and both sides began an immediate night attack--both sides bringing up artillery and volley fire against each other for several hours, until the moon had set, and it was too dark (one of the VERY FEW TRUE NIGHT ENGAGEMENTS of the ENTIRE WAR.)

In the soft glow of the rising sun, Grant sent TWO entire DIVISIONS against the 2,000 strong Brigade of Arkansans waiting in battleline long the Magnolia church and ridge, and only 6 cannon (later reduced to 4).  Another US Division was sent on a plantation road to the north and ran into CS Brig. Gen'l Tracy's Alabama single Brigade guarding that approach to the upper Bruinsburg Road.  What ensued in the cane-choked, knife-like cut ridges, ravines, and rivulets was a nightmarish fight--with the some 4,000 Confederates fending-off 30,000+ Yankees under Grant.  After staunch fighting both by Green's Arkansans, and Tracy's Alabamians (Tracy being killed himself), both sides held their ground for HOURS against overwhelming odds against them.  Finally, though, the sheer weight, might, and numbers of Yankees broke-through Green's line at Magnolia Church, capturing 2 cannon and many men (most from the 15th and 19th Arkansas).  During the fighting, just behind the Magnolia Church ridge, was a small hollow--protected from all gun and cannon fire, where the wounded were being tended to in a make-shift hospital area.  THIS IS WHERE THIS PLATE (and other fine relics) WERE FOUND (shown on the many maps and photographs below, by Don Lackey in the latter 1970's).  Even a dead Confederate was recovered on the backside of this area, which is THE SOLDIER'S REMAINS that are within the "TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN CONFEDERATE SOLDIER" in Beauvoir--Jeff Davis' home and National museum in Biloxi, MS!  Green's men fled back to yet another position to the rear behind a creek, atop a high ridge, and continued to fend-off the relentless Federal assaults.  Earlier in the morning, word was quickly sent to Cockrell's Missouri Brigade stationed some 15 miles away and above within Grand Gulf to EVACUATE Grand Gulf, and come at once to stem the Yankee invasion.  Cockrell's grand Missourians arrived late in the afternoon--split their forces and battery to both the Arkansans and Alabamians, and thus at most, finally had around 6,000 men to try to stave-off the now 36,000 Yankees under Grant.  In the waning light of sunset, the clear and only choice for the profusely outnumbered Confederates was to retreat through the town of Port Gibson, head north toward Vicksburg, and guard the river crossings and await further reinforcement from Pemberton's Army of Mississippi stationed all around the Vicksburg general vicinity. 

Now THAT, my friends, is the REAL HISTORY of the Battle of Port Gibson...LARGEST AMPHIBIOUS LANDING of US FORCES until D-Day (Port Gibson is often referred to as the "D-Day of the Civil War"), the valor, determination, and courage of so few Confederates to wholly withstand and clog Grant's advance for 24 hours, despite outnumbered 6-to1. 

And left in the quiet hollow used as a hospital station behind the Magnolia Church ridge, some Arkansas wounded, dying soldier from Green's Brigade left this untouched, gorgeous beauty upon the soft sandy soil of Mississippi...in the vain attempt to stop the oncoming horde of Grant's grand invading army overland.  The battle of Port Gibson is amongst the truly most PRISTINE--UNTOUCHED battlefields in existence.  Go there yourself, and you'll know precisely what I mean.  It is today exactly as it was then--and with the Shaifer house still standing.  It is one of the most beautiful battlefields--heck, most beautiful natural setting, for that matter--I have ever beheld.  When I first came to Mississippi in 2000, I was at Port Gibson on the anniversary date--May 1st--at dusk at the Shaifer house.  I turned to my wife and said, "We are going to live in Mississippi...".  That is how POWERFUL and BEAUTIFUL the history around here is--and I hadn't even seen my "mecca"--the "holiest of holies" (Champion Hill) yet!

This isn't just "another CS Egg Oval" belt plate....if you have read what I wrote above, then you understand precisely what I mean.  You get all the incredible history, documentation, provenance from the digger himself (including pics of him digging there in the 1970's, and modern pics showing precisely where found today, and the many precise maps) with a truly untouched, gorgeous example of this classic Confederate "CS" marked belt plate.

No....it is NOT just "another" CS egg oval belt plate.  It is a magnificent, precious, and irreplaceable piece of that history described above...

SOLD

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Extremely Scarce (RARITY 8) Leech & Rigdon "CS" 2-Piece Buckle

Plate # 050 In Mullinax's CS Reference Book

100% Untouched, Intact, NO REPAIRS, Dug Within Same CS Camp (1863 Winter Camps, Duck River)

Being one of the scarcest CS 2-piece buckles found, these are exclusively Western Theater/Army of Tennessee-found plates, and is believed by Steve Mullinax (and other authorities of CS plates) to be a product of the famous Leech & Rigdon Company (originally the Memphis Novelty Works when the war broke-out, but quickly had to "move", given that Memphis fell in early 1862!  And Leech & Rigdon had to keep moving their operations into northern Mississippi, THEN avoid the advancing Yankees yet again, and moved into Alabama, and possibly later into Georgia.....always on the move ahead of the Yankees!).  This plate is plate number 050 in Mullinax's CS plate reference book (1993 expanded edition) and was physically "blessed" by Mullinax himself at show!  Nothing better than the official "blessing" from the "king of Confederate plates" himself!  Dug decades ago from within the 1862/1863 Army of Tennessee Winter Camps along the Duck River/Tullahoma cantonment, this rare beauty may now be yours.  They are in excellent, untouched, perfectly-fitting condition, with absolutely NO REPAIRS, NO CHEMICAL CLEANING, and NO "monkey-business".  Priced like a common "Virginia-style" or other "run-of-the-mill" CS 2-piece buckle, you can get a superior, very fine example of one of the scarcer CS plates ever made....and a better specimen (condition-wise) than the one pictured in the book!

$2750  SOLD

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SWEET Excavated CS "Clip Corner" Buckle

Complete with Hooks!

What I wouldn't do or give to be so blessed and fortunate enough to go digging one day...and find THIS staring back at me from the hole in the ground!  This is a fantastic example of the extremely desirable, collectable, and rarer CS "Clip Corner" Confederate belt buckle, being Plate # 125 in Mullinax's 1993 Expanded Edition CS belt buckle reference book.  It measures 45mm by 72mm, and is the classic, rarity 9, sand-casted brass (with high copper content) plate.  It has all three hooks!  Two are full-length, and the third has the end curl missing--which is probably why it fell off the Johnny who was wearing it.  being dug from the historic Battle of Stones River back in the late 1980's, and having been inspected and "blessed" by all the experts at the Nashville Show, this little gem can REALLY tell some history...

Can you find one this pretty, this complete, and this CHEAP anywhere else???  Good luck!  They used to sell for $3900+ not just 2 years ago.

SOLD

GORGEOUS Leech & Rigdon "CS" 2-Piece Plate

100% INTACT & UNTOUCHED--NO REPAIRS

Plate 036 in Mullinax (55mm Tongue, by 82mm Wide, 44mm Wreath Height)

Rarity 7 Plate Per Mullinax

Ah yes...yet another relic that I hold "close to my heart...", given that the only CS plate I've ever dug was one of these!  Your classic Western Theater 2-piece "CS" belt buckle, made by the famous Leech & Rigdon Company (originally "Memphis Novelty Works"....but has to get the heck out of Memphis pretty quick in the war!)  This specimen is 100% UNTOUCHED, UNREPAIRED, INTACT, and NO-MONKEY-BUSINESS.  You can see all the splendid, rough sand-casting detail all over this piece, including the sand "inclusions" from the wet-sand casting process, the mold sprue on the back of the wreath flat part of the plate, as well as on the backside of the "CS" tongue.  And it's actually priced in "real world" pricing, too!  No more $3000+ prices--those days of peak, top-dollar pricing days for CS plates are gone for now.  So here's your chance to get one you can invest in--knowing that it soon WILL be worth and sell for $3000+--and enjoy all the "righteous" beauty of it in the meantime!

SOLD  $2299

FINEST of the FINE Dug CS "Clip Corner" Buckle

Considered One of the Best--if not THE BEST--Excavated Specimen in Existence

"End-of-the-road FINE," as Larry Hicklen is oft to say.  Absolutely PERFECT excavated specimen of the "Clip Corner CS" waist belt plate, and literally comes with letters of authenticity and blessings from just about every recognized authority in the arena of CS plates (Steve Mullinax, Nick Peruit, Terry Hammonds, Jack Melton, Tom Hays---you name it).  All who have seen it--beheld it--agree:  super-fine, and absolutely "righteous".  Complete with all original (and full-length hooks), undamaged, unrepaired, and 100% UNTOUCHED--NO MONKEY BUSINESS.  No "funky cold patina".  No secret repairs.  None of that here, my friends. All-original and untouched as the day it came out of the ground.  Essentially 100% original enamel intact!!!  The most excellent field-green patina on the "CS" lettering, and the edging--perfectly framing the coloration and contrast of the brass with the black enameling.  Being similar to plate 130 in Mullinax's 1993 latest edition of CS plates reference book, it is even BETTER than the specimen pictured in the book!  Being a Western Theater plate, these are extremely desirable, collectable, and scarce (regardless of the condition).

None finer.  No need to EVER upgrade.  Stunning collector's grade--and indeed "museum-quality" specimen.

$4600  SOLD

Nearly Flawless Dug Atlanta Arsenal CSA Rectangle Belt Buckle

Complete w/All Three Original Hooks--Entirely Untouched, Unrepaired

With one of the finest displaying faces I've ever seen on an excavated specimen, this is truly a "minty" example of the thicker Atlanta Arsenal "CSA" rectangle cast-brass waist belt buckle.  Measuring 48mm by 68mm, this is plate number 087 in Steve Mullinax's CS belt buckle reference book.  The classic Atlanta Arsenal traits of being much thicker are ever-present, right down to the thicker hooks.  All three original hooks are solidly intact, and this plate has NOT in any way, shape, or form been altered, chemically cleaned or treated, or "monkeyed" with in any way (getting hard to find a "righteous" CS plate these days).  This one displays facially so fine that there is essentially no scaling or oxidation, other than the smooth, rich, hard greenish-brown patina.  The body curve is absolutely splendid.  All of the crisp detail of the lettering and periods are crisp and clear--almost to the day it was made and finished from the mold.  It is THAT good.  No distant, dark, small, or blurry pictures here to hide imperfections like you see with other plates for sale out there sometimes.  The natural beauty of these one shines through in full glory.  You can seen the finishing marks vividly, and even the inclusions of sand from the wet sand casting process by which it was made.  Being dug from within one of Longstreet's winter 1863/1864 camps in very east Tennessee, this plate was sold by Terry Hammonds last year.  And for a premium price, given the quality. 

My buddy hates to let this beauty go, but times ain't like they used to be.  Someone can get one of the finest displaying CSA rectangles for a lot less than what my buddy paid....

SOLD

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Stunningly MINT Condition, Very Rare Excavated Georgia 2-Piece Officer's Buckle

Plate 232 in Mullinax's CS Belt Buckle Reference Book

It doesn't get any better than this for excavated specimens, my friends.  This is the outstandingly rare and spectacular quality excavated example of the Georgia 1860 or early-war made 2-piece brass officer's buckle that can not be topped.  Truly "collector's grade" and "museum-quality".  It is plate 232 in Mullinax's book, measuring 49mm by 81mm.  It has the most perfect, untouched patina that is the deepest, richest chocolate-brown appearance over the entire plate.  The crisp features of the plate abound, with excellent clarity of all detail, from the GA state seal, the oak-leaves along the wreath, and the vines upon the belt loops.  The typical casting flaws can be seen--which is fantastic, since it only proves it's authenticity as testimony to the cruder casting qualities of southern foundries.  Dug together, they are perfect mates that fit snug and clearly were together since the day they were casted.  No repairs, no alterations, and no monkey-business.  Essentially free of any ground action whatsoever, as you can see.  Untouched and "righteous".  Coming from my very good Georgia buddy's personal collection which has just come to market, this stunningly rare beauty can now be yours.

Not much more to say...I'll let the pictures do the talking.  No need to ever upgrade.

SOLD

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Supremely Rare "US" To "CS" Soldier Conversion Buckle

Excavated In Lee's ANV Camp During The Sharpsburg/Maryland Campaign

Complete w/All Hooks (Puppy-Paw Style) -- Plate 073 in Mullinax's CS Plate Book

Let us begin the "parade" of Confederate buckles with this unique and scarce beauty: a standard US "Puppy-Paw" complete waist belt plate that a Confederate soldier or possibly a small workshop altered by hand to craftily form a "C" out of the existing "U" in the face of the plate.  This alteration has been noted in about a dozen excavated specimens, from Virginia all the way to Arkansas.  But boy, are they RARE to ever see!  It is noted as Plate 073 in Mullinax's watershed Confederate belt buckle reference book.  It was purchased by my very good friend in Georgia last year from Matt Lockhard (CV Relics), and now is coming back onto the market.  Better not wait too long on this one.  How many chances to you ever get to have one as rare, beautiful, and complete as this (this specimen is better than the one Mullinax had to picture in his reference book!  Just look at that gorgeous pea-green patina!)

SOLD

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Only-Known-To-Exist Texas Variant Star-Motif 2-Piece Belt Buckle on Original Russet Leather Belt

Measures 43mm by 60mm -- Authenticated by Mike O'Donnell, Most Likely 1830's/1840's Texas Militia Plate (Though Possibly Circa 1860)

Soon To Be Published In Upcoming Mike O'Donnell Book

Those who know me well know I've had this plate since last year, and haven't openly been interested in selling it.  Obviously, having a plate that is "one-of-a-kind" will make you want to hang on to it, at least for a little while to savor and enjoy!  But since I only focus on Champion Hill related items, I'm ready to let this one go from my personal collection.  It is indeed the only one of it's exact style and kind known to exist.  Sure, there are several styles out there very similar, and there's a great image of an ID'ed Florida soldier wearing one identical to this, excepting his belt loops are rounded--this one is squared--but no known other excavated or non-excavated specimens exactly like this one are out there.  Best of all, this one comes with the original russet leather belt, with the matching-style cast belt adjuster.  Our local legendary relic hunter and collector Mr. Jackie Surrett had purchased this plate and other family heirloom pieces from a gentlemen living in the Mississippi Delta many years ago.  Among the other family items with the plate were several non-dug T. Miller Texas buttons, so we know it had clear Texas association (and not Mississippi, given that Mississippi sometimes utilized a star motif as well).  This piece was authenticated several years ago by Mike O'Donnell in person at the Nashville Show when Jackie presented it to him for review, and Mike photographed it.  I will be passing along a signed letter of authentification with the plate from Mike.  As he expressed, he shall publish this plate in an upcoming book (more than likely an update to the American Military Plates book).  As I always surmised, and Mike confirmed, this plate is almost certainly a true militia plate, dating to the 1830's or 1840's for the Texas Independence movement/Mexican War-era.  Mike expressed that obviously it is not out of the realm of possibility of being a circa-1860 made piece, but it just has all the traits expected from smaller local militia plates so popular from that period.  It only measures 43mm by 60mm (mated together), and the russet leather belt is only 34mm wide, having a tooled edge.  It is a simple but sturdy solid cast-brass construction, having the small belt loops and equal-in-size smooth/plain oval to receive the star-tongue.  It's certainly a copy/derivative of the early-style US artillery plate in that regard, and again, is more consistent with plate designs and manufacture of the 1830's and '40's.  The belt and the matching belt adjuster on the belt have traces of the original gold gilt that was applied to it.  The russet leather belt is not damaged or repaired in any way, and is still quite gorgeous for being 170 +/- years old.  It's solidly intact and quite pliable.  Has the expected crazing on the surface, but very good in condition.  Obviously not being a sword belt, it would have been used by any common soldier.  We have little doubt it was worn in the Civil War by the Texas family history with the other personal items (the Texas T. Miller buttons that came with it), but this plate has all the earmarks of being a much earlier plate in origin of manufacture.  Though a circa 1860-made Texas plate would command even more in value, I think the historical value of more likely being an 1830's/'40's plate--seeing the days of the Alamo or Mexico City--is a lot more appealing to me.

Hate to see it go...too bad there were no Texas troops at Champion Hill, or I might have talked myself into keeping it!  But I know it'll find a good home somewhere.  Is there anyone out there who wants a Mike O'Donnell authenticated, future published, only-known variant Texas 2-piece militia plate on original belt?

SOLD

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