Uniforms M1851 Real or Fake

[Conquerordie]

I was at my In-laws today, having a beer and my father in law said his Dad had a old belt buckle from the Civil War that he found in his belongings after he passed. I looked at it, but know nothing of its legitmacy. I figured it's a M1851. He has no idea where it came from. It's bent and has some damage. He doesn't care about value, just trying to figure out the puzzle if it's real. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

 

[Joe Whitworth]

Yup, that's real and arsenal marked to boot.

 

[bobinwmass]

The Allegheny Arsenal began making 1851 pattern enlisted plates in 1853. O'Donnell and Campbell, in their book "American Military Belt Plates", show four different patterns. This appears to be the last one, identified as Plate 614 in their book, which they say is circa 1861. Apparently Allegheny stopped making plates early in the war and focused on belts. There were many other contractors that had begun making plates by then.

 

[scooter748driver]

Nice buckle. Congrats!

 

[JOHN42768]

Been there, done that without any doubt

 

[Conquerordie]

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge. I let my father in law know, and he's happy. No idea where his father got it, but happy none the less. His father had all sorts of items ranging from the 18th century to WWII. I've seen most of it over the years, but since my love of the civil war only started about 2 years ago, it just never really came up until today. Glad we found another piece of the Civil War that can be preserved!

 

[Trooper "D"]

I was at my In-laws today, having a beer and my father in law said his Dad had a old belt buckle from the Civil War that he found in his belongings after he passed. I looked at it, but know nothing of its legitmacy. I figured it's a M1851. He has no idea where it came from. It's bent and has some damage. He doesn't care about value, just trying to figure out the puzzle if it's real. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

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The silver wreath continuing above the eagle wings I think is a clue. But I'm not expert.