US. Belt buckle. Authentic ?

[Specster]

Three different opinion so far

 

[Spunk Puppy]

This doesn't look like a weapon or ammunition to me. Maybe try another section of the forum?

 

[Specster]

This doesn't look like a weapon or ammunition to me. Maybe try another section of the forum?

Is that really bothering you that much? More knowledgeable people come here than the uniform thread

 

[Spunk Puppy]

Is that really bothering you that much? More knowledgeable people come here than the uniform thread

I'm just saying, it's the wrong section. Deal with it.

 

[captaindrew]

Pretty sure that's a reproduction, looks exactly like buckles I have, but I've been wrong before. Paging @ucvrelics.com to be sure.

 

[UCVRelics]

The Union did make this style type and it has been reproduced. I believe its a repop as the tell tell on these is the single hook end. It does not have the bend in it as an original and the patina should be a lot darker on the US side. One rule of thumb on collecting US plate is stick with the puppy paw type with makers stamp and you can't go wrong.

 

[Okc_bob]

I'm no expert, but looks like high quality repo to me

 

[mofederal]

It is awfully nice looking to be an original. Not much of a patina to it. I would say it is a reproduction.

 

[alan polk]

The Union did make this style type and it has been reproduced. I believe its a repop as the tell tell on these is the single hook end. It does not have the bend in it as an original and the patina should be a lot darker on the US side. One rule of thumb on collecting US plate is stick with the puppy paw type with makers stamp and you can't go wrong.

What keeps people from reproducing puppy paws?

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Quite frankly, nothing. I have seen several buckles faked using the "Puppy Paw"'studs. The examples I have seen came out of Canada about 30 years ago.
J.

 

[UCVRelics]

That's why I added the caveat. "With Makers Marks" which are next to impossible to replicate.

 

[Specster]

That's why I added the caveat. "With Makers Marks" which are next to impossible to replicate.

I'm not disagreeing but why would the maker marks be that hard to forge? I have seen a website which sells 1000's of metal symbols that you could I would imagine emboss on metal. I looked at it a few years ago and the way I found it was people talking about using it a a resource in defarbing.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Actually the "Makers Marks" are quite easy to replicate, as is evidenced by the reproduced Confederate musket lock plate stamping dies I have seen. The way it was done years ago for exactness was to take a lamp black carbon imprint on a piece of paper and then send it to a die stamp manufacturer for replication. The ones I saw done of the Richmond and Fayetteville locks are undetectable from an original stamped lock plate. That required a small stamping press to set the correct depth of the lettering. A lead backed buckle would be ever so much easier to do.

With today's computer technology , digitized scanning, and laser work it would be even easier to replicate a simple stamp for a buckle. Perhaps the reason we don't see buckles faked too often is that they aren't worth the effort.
J.

 

[UCVRelics]

Back in the early days of collecting you did not have to worry about repops US plates as I could by Breast Plats for $15 and US plates for $25 so it wasn't cost effective for people to fake US stuff now its a different story.

 

[1867crete]

Back in the early days of collecting you did not have to worry about repops US plates as I could by Breast Plats for $15 and US plates for $25 so it wasn't cost effective for people to fake US stuff now its a different story.

This is the reason I started collecting non dug union buttons. You can find some real hidden gems! But a CSN navy or CSA staff drop wing button, I wouldn't touch with your money!(unless a reputable dealer..). I was at a gun show and a fellow had a CS buckle and could you imagine his luck?!? It was stuck by a minnie ball!!!!! And he only wanted $250 I told him that the plate "if" original was probably worth 3 times that.... let alone the fact of being struck..he was rather rude... give me my Enfield and Some time I can get you a struck Confederate plate!!! I'll even buy you a beer when we're done!!

 

[UCVRelics]

That's why the only Confederate plates I own I dug. My first 2 came in 1982 and were in the North South Trader. After that I never let anyone know what I found as I had 2 bandit relic hunter waited down the strret from my house and followed me to the CS camp I found them in

 

[1867crete]

I am infuriated for you.... so frustrating I could ONLY imagine.... wish I was braver and more knowledgeable..... but with fakers and the CW hobby getting close to a hundred years old! Confederate items need researched and study before buying! Save heartache and time and money!!!! Contact a experienced collector or post on this fine site!!

 

[UCVRelics]

The one thing I can tell the younger collectors is books are fine but there is NO substitute to holding the real McCoys in your hands. And digging your owns is even better.

 

[Craig L Barry]

Pretty clearly a high quality reproduction for the reasons given. Whoever made it did a good job with it.