Confederate Belt & Buckle

By John Sexton · Originally published December 2016 · p. 25

Confederate Belt & Buckle Dear Civil War Appraiser: Mr. Sexton: Several weeks ago I went to Savannah to help my sister clean up things after Hurricane Matthew skimmed the Georgia coastline. After cleaning up the debris in the yard, I offered to help my sister’s elderly neighbor move some of her items that were damaged in the storm. In the course of conversation, the lady told me that over the years she had cleaned out several houses that had for sold or were family houses that needed to be cleaned out due to someone moving. She also mentioned that she cleaned out her great-great grandfather’s basement and told me that he fought in the Civil War. She said that her great-great grandfather, Francis M. McCord was born in Ohio and that he was in the Union army then later in the Navy. After the war, he relocated to California and lived there until he passed away. She then told me that she had a few Civil War items that she saved from the basement…one being a Civil War belt with a buckle. I asked if I could see some of the items from the basement, which she was happy to show me. I was stunned to see that the buckle was a C.S.A rectangular plate. I am not sure how her greatgreat grandfather came across a C.S.A. buckle. Perhaps it was a war trophy or souvenir. I inquired as to if she would be interested in selling the belt and buckle. I know there a lot of fakes of this type of buckle, but I wanted to take a “chance” that it was real. After some thought, she agreed to sell both the belt and buckle. I am hoping that you can determine the authenticity of the buckle. Thanks, Collin C. Dear Collin C.: I receive a lot of photographs of Confederate belt buckles found in flea markets, yard sales, and small auctions. A very large percentage of these are fake, fantasy or out and out fraudulent. Congratulations on a nice find. Rarely do “hurricane cleanup” type yard sales ever produce real Confederate belt buckles. Your buckle is indeed original and appears to exhibit a very fine surface and patina based on your photographs. The Union-style sword belt that is attached appears contemporary to the period, but possibly added at a magazine The Artilleryman is a quarterly magazine founded in 1979 for enthusiasts who collect and shoot cannons and mortars primarily from the Revolutionary War, Civil War to World War II. Now expanded and fully illustrated in rich color throughout the entire magazine. later date. This particular buckle is known among collectors as a Georgia style enlisted CSA belt plate. It is well-known that this is the buckle worn by soldiers in the Army of Tennessee during the Atlanta campaign. The earliest references tell this information, but most recently, information has arisen that these particular buckles were made by Hammond Turner & Company of Atlanta, Georgia. Hammond Turner was predominately known for making swords, but is now known to have made solid cast infantry buttons and rectangular CSA belt plates such as this in large quantities. These buckles and buttons were part of accoutrements and uniforms issued to troops of the Army of Tennessee camped in and around Dalton, Ga., in the winter of 1863-64. This particular style buckle is not found excavated in campsites or battlefields prior to the winter camps December 1864 through March of 1864. This buckle is not rare and is actually one of the often-encountered, especially excavated. However, fine non-excavated specimens with good patina, all three hooks, and correct shape with a slight curve known among collectors as a “body curve” are quite scarce. These buckles in typical excavated condition with dings, dents and bends, and a broken hook can be found priced by dealers in the neighborhood of $1,200-1,800. The nicest excavated specimens command prices like non-excavated, such as this, as much as $3,200-3,800, most often. The most recent reference to Confederate buckles is by Steve Mullinax, Confederate Belt Buckles and Plates, plates 84-99. Mullinax shows similar plates with these exact measurements as yours, 48 mm in height and 70 mm across

John is an certified appraiser with International Society of Appraisers specializing in Civil War memorabilia. He authenticates and evaluates other rare and valuable historic items also. Send “Ask The Appraiser” questions and photographs to [email protected].