Confederate Fork Tongue Frame Buckle

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Item: Confederate Fork Tongue Frame Buckle - Large Size
Construction: Cast brass.
Condition: Very good, excavated. This solid buckle has a dusty green patina. There is an inward bend in the body of the plate. On one edge are a couple of nicks that shows a small bit of dull brass. Along one frame section is printed "TREVILIONS(sic) - OCT 2000" a plastic white tape that indicates its recovery location and month and year of recovery. There are no cracks, breaks, or repairs.  
Recovered: Trevilians, VA October 2000
Approximate size: 63 x 94 mm. (buckle measures slightly shorter in length due to bend)
Reference: Other examples of Confederate "fork tongue" frame buckles are found in:

  • "Confederate General Service Accoutrement Plates" by Lon W. Keim, M.D. on page 245.
  • "Confederate Belt Buckles and Plates" by Steve E. Mullinax on page 89, plate 158 (also same plate is found in later "Expanded Edition" of same book on page 102, plate 179)
  • "Civil War Artifacts" by Howard Crouch, page 223, item 2.
  • "Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of The Civil War" by Stanley S. Phillip, page 50.
  • "Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of The Civil War - Supplement One" by Stanley S. Phillips, page 25.

See above pages in the additional images.

Comments: Fork tongue frame buckles of any size are rarely dug and according to "Confederate General Service Accoutrement Plates" by Lon W. Keim, M.D., regarding fork tongue frame buckles on page 223: "One of the distinctive types of Confederate issue accoutrement plates was the frame buckle with a moveable tongue. Both tongue and frame were constructed from sand cast brass, providing a sturdy, lightweight and practical piece of equipment. Its simple design and composition made for ease of manufacture, and production of this utilitarian plate was widespread. This style of buckle was produced in varying sizes....".

This excavated Confederate fork tongue frame buckle was acquired directly from the family of E. V. Smith. Mr. Smith, a lifelong Virginia relic hunter, thoughtfully recorded the buckle’s recovery date and location. It will be an excellent addition to any excavated plate or general relic collection.

Product Code:
PC9458

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