Item: Excavated Sword Belt Plate with Keeper - Matching Bench Numbers
Construction: Cast brass plate with integral tongue and eagle motif with applied three-piece nickel-silver wreath (now missing). Brass keeper.
Condition: Very good. Its brass has aged into a very pleasing chocolate brown patina. The face shows a spread-wing eagle clutching arrows in its left talon and an olive branch in its right talon. Areas where the three-piece applied wreath was once attached are visible. The rear of the plate includes an integral tongue which is stamped with the benchmark number of "928" at its base. Its belt attachment bar is present and is very slightly bent outwards likely from period use. The plate's body is flat and has no cracks, breaks, or repairs. Its keeper is present and also benchmarked "928".
Recovered: Fredericksburg, VA area
Reference: Similar, but not exact, examples of this plate can be found in "American Military Belt Plates" by O'Donnell and Campbell on pages 374-379.
Approximate size: 52 x 86-87 mm.
Comments: Under normal circumstances it is unusual to recover a sword belt plate with a keeper. It is highly unusual to recover sword belt plate and keeper with matching benchmark numbers. The information I was provided with this piece indicated that the plate and keeper were recovered within yards of each other on private property near the Fredericksburg, Virginia battlefield. This sword belt plate and its keeper have that very desirable excavated appearance and will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War buckle or general relic collection.
MISSED OUT ON THIS ITEM?
I may have other similar examples not yet listed.
To find out:
Call or Text: 804-873-5462
Email: virginiarelics@comcast.net