(Confederate Adjutant General button)	The Civil War Relicman,  Harry Ridgeway
	Winchester, Virginia USA (changed hands 70 times in the Civil War!)
	I am a collector buying and selling authentic Civil War Relics
	This page updated   May 20, 2007

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Fakes, reproductions, replicas, Federal plates 663 to 665 
Sword belt plate, Regulation 1851, eagle with rays

Original is cast, integral eagle and tongue, applied nickel-silver wreath.  It is believed to be an enlisted pattern because of the simplified one piece wreath versus three part wreath for officers.

F1220  Sword belt plate manufactured by Hanover Brass
 
Plate measures 54.6mm (Inside 49.6mm) X 85.6mm

Plate was submitted by Gary Williams with the following comment:
"You should see a cut line on the outside of the left, your left looking at the buckle.  Use your original pictures in the book for reference.  The reproduction wreath is a very good copy but lacks the cut line, 90% of all this type wreath has the cut line.  If you want to be 100% sure original then buy with the cut line in the wreath.  The wreath is always flatter to the buckle.  Hook on my reproduction is different.  Original has a thick base and very different.  My hook is the same thickness from top to bottom.  Original hooks is thick at base and thin at top.  Cast in both red or yellow.  Aged red sometimes looks a mello yellow.  Hole in back is a "chill".  This was the thick part of the casting.  When the metal cools sometimes the shield would crack or not show detail.  A hole behind the high thick point would make a perfect casting.    The wreath is the best defense on this buckle, it is very close."

Editor note:  This is definitely helpful  information, these sword plates are awfully close to right.  I notice that there are marks stamped on this plate, but the marks are very light..

F1074 Sword belt plate manufactured by Hanover Brass
  
"This variant Eagle buckle was cast from an original by Gary Williams, Hanover Brass Foundry. This is as close to the original as you will get: the age look, the detail. It is marked with GW. A beautiful belt plate to wear or display. Solid brass cast using the original buckle as the pattern, cast in red brass. It has an applied nickle-silver wreath. Look at the depth of the artwork and the fine detail. What a beautiful Eagle!"

Source: ebay auction by jaglady00 3/12/06 "1863 NCO Eagle Sword Belt Buckle Plate applied nickle silver wreath Item number: 6611631749"

Editor note: "jaglady00" is Hanover Brass, items sold as reproductions.

F1068    Waist sword belt plate
    
"US Officer Brass Belt Buckle #128 from 1972 I was told. It measures 2'X 3 1/4" and has some wear with tarish. It looks like the same belt buckle from the civil war with eagle and stars. If you have questions or need more photos email."

Source:  ebay auction by 6j7 5/11/06 "US OFFICER BRASS BELT BUCKLE # 128 1972 EAGLE Item number: 6627129400"

Editor Note:  This item was listed in the Indian War category on ebay, I think the seller meant to say "1872"  It is however a Civil War pattern. This is believed to have been made by Ray in Connecticut, in the 1970's or 1980's but that is not confirmed.  It is also believed that the maker reworked the shield on the plate, so it is not a true copy of an original. 

F1251    Waist sword belt plate
 
"Identified Artillery Officer's Waist Belt  Nice untouched Pennsylvania artillery officer's waist belt altered from a standard black leather cavalry enlisted pattern belt. Stenciled in white letters on inside surface of belt, "L.B. RICHARDS...../ 1 ST PENNA. ART." Some letters directly following the name are partially visible but not completely legible. However, enough here to identify. Belt altered from a standard cavalry belt and has both saber attachments neatly removed in order to convert to a plain field grade officer's belt. Old stitch holes as well as those for the rivet reinforcement are still visible. An 1851 eagle plate on front with an applied silver wreath. Plate has a deep, frosty patina but will easily clean. Leather dry, uncleaned but very pliable and flexible. I have left totally untouched overall so buyer can make the decision as to whether he wants to clean as well as demonstrate authenticity. ."

Source: ebay auction by "walterbudd-militarygoods" 12/5/06 "Identified Artillery Officer's Waist Belt Item number: 160057618767"

Editor note:  This is believed to be another plate by Ray in Connecticut.  The lettering of the ID is certainly suspect, I also do not know why this belt has been spliced, and holes placed in the splice.  It is doubtful this plate can be shown to be authentic.

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