6th NC Belt Buckle

By John Sexton · Originally published May 2018 · p. 26

Excavated 6th Infantry North Carolina State Troops belt buckle.

Dear Mr. Sexton: I recently recovered a “6th Inf / NC. S.T.” Belt Plate in Forsyth County, N.C., Feb. 20, 2018. I would like to know more about this relic and what it would be worth in today’s market. If you can include ways I can preserve this item, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for your service. Brandon

Dear Brandon: Congratulations on your find. Your Confederate 6th North Carolina belt plate is a beautiful example with a rich green excavated patina, still showing traces of black enamel in the background. The 6th NC State Troops were among the few Confederate units to have distinctive belt buckles. This variety is quite popular in the collecting community and quite scarce. The majority of this pattern was dug at the 6th’s first winter camp near Dumfries, Va., after the Manassas campaign. These buckles rarely still have the hooks attached, as they were small wires simply soldered in place. The galvanic action of the soil causes the solder to lose integrity; the small hooks often are still in the ground adjacent to the buckle. A similar fine excavated example with smoother patina is currently listed on well-respected dealer site Shilohrelics.com and priced at $6,950. In speaking with dealers who buy and sell such relics, several noted they would pay $4,000-$5,000 for this particular example if it were on the market. John

Back of belt buckle. The belt hooks were soldered on to the back. These buckles are almost never recovered with their hooks intact. The solder is all that remains.

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 as well. His website is www.civilwardealer.com. He is coauthor of the book Confederate Bowie Knives (2012) by Jack Melton, Josh Phillips and John Sexton, that was published by Mowbray Publishing Inc. Send “Ask The Appraiser” questions and photographs to [email protected].