CS Plate??

[Nounan]

From reading other posts I assume this to be a reproduction. States there is no makers mark on it. What say you?

 

[Package4]

From reading other posts I assume this to be a reproduction. States there is no makers mark on it. What say you?

I would definitely lean that way

 

[mofederal]

I would say reproduction.

 

[zburkett]

It is a good idea to assume that all CS plates are reproductions. CSA as well. There was a die set for this plate on ebay a while back for $500.00 and many thousands were made for reenactors since the 1960s. The small inner ring is the tip off. The dies were made copying the US plate which had that ring. The CS plates did not. Another tip off is it is in too good a shape to have been buried for over a century and a half. There are other little things but the ring is the big one.

 

[Package4]

It is a good idea to assume that all CS plates are reproductions. CSA as well. There was a die set for this plate on ebay a while back for $500.00 and many thousands were made for reenactors since the 1960s. The small inner ring is the tip off. The dies were made copying the US plate which had that ring. The CS plates did not. Another tip off is it is in too good a shape to have been buried for over a century and a half. There are other little things but the ring is the big one.

There have been CS plates, both cartridge box and belt that have the inner ring, both smooth and rope/cable, they are exceedingly rare and are of early war vintage. You are correct about this one though, it is fashioned from a like US die with counter die, the CS plates that have been found so far are not counter struck/counter die. The lettering is also very different than this one.

 

[UCVRelics]

In order for it to be a reproduction there would have had to have been one and the CS Army NEVER made a CS box plate. The South did not waste the brass or lead on an unneeded item.

 

[Package4]

In order for it to be a reproduction there would have had to have been one and the CS Army NEVER made a CS box plate. The South did not waste the brass or lead on an unneeded item.

There have been specimens found in early war sites, the latest war site was at Gettysburg, to date 3 different versions have been noted, though they are very rare. The Confederacy early on only had the template of the US government to follow and did so in many respects until it was noted that their resources would not allow. Brass buttons became wood, frock coats became shell jackets and leather was replaced by painted or tarred cloth for accouterments.

Kerksis identifies this plate on page 295 of Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795-1874 and on page 296 there is another version that was attached to the original box. There is also another version on a Richmond marked box in Echoes of Glory. They are exceedingly rare, but were manufactured and issued to some extent.

 

[UCVRelics]

I guess you never say never but I have always had my doubts about these examples as I have NEVER seen a dug one.

 

[Package4]

I guess you never say never but I have always had my doubts about these examples as I have NEVER seen a dug one.

According to Kerksis, two have been found in Georgia and one in Gettysburg of the same pattern.

I have to think that the Confederacy tried to copy the US early on until they figured that it wasn't a sound strategy due to resource constraints.

I can tell you this, I would not purchase one...…...

 

[Nounan]

Ya, I passed on it.