Buckle Question

[J Chamberlain]

Greetings:

Recently I purchased two buckles or belt plates and were told by the respective sellers that they were authentic. I noticed that they were slightly different sizes and began to poke around online, including this wonderful website for more information and read that these buckles did come in several sizes although I could not find much specific information about measurements.

What raised my eyebrows was when I turned them over side by side I see that the configuration of the prongs on the back were different.

While I realize that it may be difficult or impossible for someone to give an opinion about the authenticity of an item without holding it, the images are pretty clear and can be enlarged.

My main question is what side of the buckle should the double prongs be on? The U or the S side?

If anyone is able to offer any advice or opinion on the buckles I would appreciate it. I originally purchased one for myself and my son who is a soldier "thought it was awesome" so I purchased another for to give him as a Christmas present. Having the two side by side stated thus inquiry.

Thank you for reading my post.

 

[FrankN]

Hello, I posted this reply with some information to a buckle question a few years ago. I'm not sure if this will be helpful but I'm sure more knowledgeable members will soon share their thoughts.

A friend on another forum helped me a few years ago and provided these photos to compare. All are original except #4 which was a well made replica for reenactment use in the 1970s. The fronts are pretty close but it was pointed out that the reverse may give clues to original or repro.

On originals the hooks should be nicely beveled and be more 3 dimisional and not flat and wide.

Original arrow hooks should look spade shaped with subtle curves and possibly have traces of lead on them.

The lead filling on repro backs are often over filled.

Hope this helps.

Frank

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[J Chamberlain]

Hello, I posted this reply with some information to a buckle question a few years ago. I'm not sure if this will be helpful but I'm sure more knowledgeable members will soon share their thoughts.

A friend on another forum helped me a few years ago and provided these photos to compare. All are original except #4 which was a well made replica for reenactment use in the 1970s. The fronts are pretty close but it was pointed out that the reverse may give clues to original or repro.

On originals the hooks should be nicely beveled and be more 3 dimisional and not flat and wide.

Original arrow hooks should look spade shaped with subtle curves and possibly have traces of lead on them.

The lead filling on repro backs are often over filled.

Hope this helps.

Frank

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Frank:

Thank you for your prompt response. One of my buckles seems to have the spade shaped prongs on it as you describe. The other has the prongs on the same side as the one of your which is the reproduction. I would be interested in hearing any other opinions as to whether there are original Civil War era buckles with the double prongs on both sides or if the originals would only have them on one side.

The smaller of my two buckles Has the double prongs on the S side of the buckle meaning you would put it through the belt loops on pants threading it from the left side first.

Thank you,

Stephen

 

[UCVRelics]

Interesting plates. The one thing that jumps out is the size. They came both left and right hand and came in 3 different sizes and your fall in the large catagory but the measurements are a little off as MOST of the larger versions were 55mm x 87mm. Back then there were no belt loops on pants and these were worn outside of the coat. It hard to tell from the photos but the hooks don't look right. Due to all the repops I would stay with the puppy paw backs.

 

[Package4]

Greetings:

Recently I purchased two buckles or belt plates and were told by the respective sellers that they were authentic. I noticed that they were slightly different sizes and began to poke around online, including this wonderful website for more information and read that these buckles did come in several sizes although I could not find much specific information about measurements.

What raised my eyebrows was when I turned them over side by side I see that the configuration of the prongs on the back were different.

While I realize that it may be difficult or impossible for someone to give an opinion about the authenticity of an item without holding it, the images are pretty clear and can be enlarged.

My main question is what side of the buckle should the double prongs be on? The U or the S side?

If anyone is able to offer any advice or opinion on the buckles I would appreciate it. I originally purchased one for myself and my son who is a soldier "thought it was awesome" so I purchased another for to give him as a Christmas present. Having the two side by side stated thus inquiry.

Thank you for reading my post.

View attachment 373168

View attachment 373169

Both of your buckles appear to be authentic, there are a few things to look for that are as yet reproduced. 1. The lead fill on repros is almost always overfilled. Basically look for a slightly concave back. 2. The prong is beveled and thick, reproductions have a thin flat prong. 3. The arrows as well are thicker than typically seen on reproductions, but this is not as important as numbers 1 & 2. Arrows Came in many shapes and sizes, were messed with by the soldier (sharpened, blunted, bent).

i agree with @ucvrelics, when in doubt puppy paw backs, are the way to go, but they are now being reproduced very authentically. The current buckles do not have the slight curve and look very flat, but in time they'll improve it as well.

 

[Tennis]

I own two new repos

1 + 2 claws

 

[J Chamberlain]

Both of your buckles appear to be authentic, there are a few things to look for that are as yet reproduced. 1. The lead fill on repros is almost always overfilled. Basically look for a slightly concave back. 2. The prong is beveled and thick, reproductions have a thin flat prong. 3. The arrows as well are thicker than typically seen on reproductions, but this is not as important as numbers 1 & 2. Arrows Came in many shapes and sizes, were messed with by the soldier (sharpened, blunted, bent).

i agree with @ucvrelics, when in doubt puppy paw backs, are the way to go, but they are now being reproduced very authentically. The current buckles do not have the slight curve and look very flat, but in time they'll improve it as well.

I own two new repos

1 + 2 claws

Both of your buckles appear to be authentic, there are a few things to look for that are as yet reproduced. 1. The lead fill on repros is almost always overfilled. Basically look for a slightly concave back. 2. The prong is beveled and thick, reproductions have a thin flat prong. 3. The arrows as well are thicker than typically seen on reproductions, but this is not as important as numbers 1 & 2. Arrows Came in many shapes and sizes, were messed with by the soldier (sharpened, blunted, bent).

i agree with @ucvrelics, when in doubt puppy paw backs, are the way to go, but they are now being reproduced very authentically. The current buckles do not have the slight curve and look very flat, but in time they'll improve it as well.

Package 4:

Thank you for your informative and thoughtful response, I appreciate it, it was very helpful as have been the rest of the responses to my inquiry. It is nice to know that there are knowledge people out there who know about these things and are willing the share their expertise with others.

Thank you.