Confederate General Service Plates, by Lon W. Keim has this to say about non-descript belt buckles; "The Confederate supply department resigned itself to the necessity of outfitting its men as quickly and cheaply as possible. This called for the mass production of accoutrement plates (sic) that were simple but sturdy. To Conserve metal, these nondescript plates (sic) were smaller than the forked tongue and fixed tongue frame buckles. However, their construction leaves no doubt that they were intended to support the weight of a leather accoutrement belt. Wartime photographs and field recoveries indicate that these were probably the most common C.S. produced plates, particularly during the final two years of the conflict." He shows a photo. of a trooper wearing a waistbelt with this buckle and an orginal saber belt with one. He shows eight examples on pp. 318-322.
My question is, since these seem to be quite common, is anyone reproducing them. I've never seen anyone wearing one nor have I seen them in any uniform standards. I suspect they are also a civilian item. I have one that came from an early 19th Cent. plantation site and in fact two of those in the above mentioned work are from sites ca. 1800. The wartime buckles appear to be heavier cast. I don't have the capability to post a picture but if anyone else has the book and can post pix. please do. Briefly, it is 44mm X 65 mm and is a plain cast brass frame buckle with a single brass wire tongue. It seems if they were as common as Mr. Kiem claims then we should see them represented in the hobby. Perhaps we could convince Hanover Brass to make them.
Chuck Winchester
Critter Co.
My question is, since these seem to be quite common, is anyone reproducing them. I've never seen anyone wearing one nor have I seen them in any uniform standards. I suspect they are also a civilian item. I have one that came from an early 19th Cent. plantation site and in fact two of those in the above mentioned work are from sites ca. 1800. The wartime buckles appear to be heavier cast. I don't have the capability to post a picture but if anyone else has the book and can post pix. please do. Briefly, it is 44mm X 65 mm and is a plain cast brass frame buckle with a single brass wire tongue. It seems if they were as common as Mr. Kiem claims then we should see them represented in the hobby. Perhaps we could convince Hanover Brass to make them.
Chuck Winchester
Critter Co.
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