What is this? Help Identifying an early plate buckle

[DixieRifles]

I'm submitting this question for a friend. He wants to identify this damaged belt buckle. This is his first buckle like this he has dug and he was told it was an early militia plate buckle.
It has a marking on it. Does this identify the manufacturer?
It also has a hole it in, which I assume was where a stud was mounted.
Any reference sources?

 

[Cato3rd]

It looks like 'clipped corner' belt buckle

 

[DixieRifles]

It looks like 'clipped corner' belt buckle

He had gotten some comments from other collectors. Since this is new to me, what does that mean? Confederate? State issued?

 

[Cato3rd]

He had gotten some comments from other collectors. Since this is new to me, what does that mean? Confederate? State issued?

I'm not a big belt buckle collector but I have seen them listed as either militia or confederate. It's a great piece. I wouldn't try straightening it out. It's in pretty good condition for coming out of the ground

 

[DixieRifles]

I wouldn't try straightening it out. It's in pretty good condition for coming out of the ground

It was likely run over when disking a cotton field.

 

[UCVRelics]

He had gotten some comments from other collectors. Since this is new to me, what does that mean? Confederate? State issued?

Its hard to say but where is was dug would be the tell tell. Here is one from my collection. I don't see the back marks for the hooks but they could be there.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Confederate Clipped Corner Belt Buckle / SOLD

uniondb.com

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

CONFEDERATE CLIPPED CORNER BUCKLE — Horse Soldier

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

1870’S BRASS CLIPPED CORNER PLATE — Horse Soldier

 

[DixieRifles]

Its hard to say but where is was dug would be the tell tell. Here is one from my collection. I don't see the back marks for the hooks but they could be there.

He lives in Holly Springs so it was somewhere in Marshall County.

His buckle doesn't seem to have those clipped corners---at least I don't see that.
What about the name stamped on it?

He thinks the name is "J CAIL". He pulled up some soldiers with that name who fought at Shiloh.

 

[DixieRifles]

Any other ideas? I was hoping he could take an accurate measurements of the buckle even with it folded over. Plus get the thickness. Then compare it to other known relics.

 

[Cato3rd]

Any other ideas? I was hoping he could take an accurate measurements of the buckle even with it folded over. Plus get the thickness. Then compare it to other known relics.

I think once you get the measurements, we will have a better idea. But still think it's a clipped corner confederate buckle

 

[DixieRifles]

But still think it's a clipped corner confederate buckle

That is what my friend is hoping. He thought the name was the owner's, but now he thinks it is the manufacturer's name. I guess it is no way to guess even what state it may have been produced.

 

[Cato3rd]

That is what my friend is hoping. He thought the name was the owner's, but now he thinks it is the manufacturer's name. I guess it is no way to guess even what state it may have been produced.

The only possible way he could probably find out what state, is finding out exactly where it was found. If it was part of a battle/skirmish or camp site then that could narrow down the possible units. Yeah my guess would be that the lettering on it would be just a local black smith who made them

 

[JackADriscoll]

After looking closely may the name be j. Call?