Uniforms Where did CSA snake buckles come from?

[HatEnjoyer]

This is kind of a dumb question, but does anyone knowledgeable in the Confederate belt buckle field know where CSA snake buckles came from? I've read on the internet that they came from Britain, but I've also heard that they were commonly used in pre-war militias. So which one is true? And if both are true, how does one tell the difference between a British import buckle and militia buckle, if it's even possible to do so?

 

[RedRover]

They were a British standard for riflemen in the period. Used for quite some time before 1861.

And by local Rifle volunteers units:

And for that purpose widely available on the market in Britain...


After the commencement of the war, the Confederate market for military goods, and ordnance department procured quantities of them from across the pond...

The British still used the snake buckles into the 20th Century...

 

[bobinwmass]

In his book "Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795 - 1874", Sydney C. Kerksis reports that the Confederate States imported a number of English service waist belts for use during the Civil War. At that time (and for years prior and following) these belts and buckles were used by the British military and police. In his book he also shows Massachusetts soldiers from the 6th and 44th regiments wearing such buckles, presumably obtained from captured blockade runners.

 

[captaindrew]

They came with English accoutrement sets, (waistbelt, cartridge box with strap, cap box, and bayonet scabbard) as seen in the photos above. I know you're putting a reenacting kit together. If you're considering getting one or any of the English accoutrements you should get the whole set to really be correct. I believe I've seen them on sword belts as well worn by officers.

 

[HatEnjoyer]

They were a British standard for riflemen in the period. Used for quite some time before 1861.

View attachment 520335

And by local Rifle volunteers units:

View attachment 520336

View attachment 520337

And for that purpose widely available on the market in Britain...


After the commencement of the war, the Confederate market for military goods, and ordnance department procured quantities of them from across the pond...

View attachment 520338

View attachment 520339
View attachment 520340




The British still used the snake buckles into the 20th Century...

View attachment 520341

Just the person I was looking for to answer my question! Thank you once again RedRover!

 

[HatEnjoyer]

In his book he also shows Massachusetts soldiers from the 6th and 44th regiments wearing such buckles, presumably obtained from captured blockade runners.

That's a very interesting fact! Thank you!

 

[HatEnjoyer]

If you're considering getting one or any of the English accoutrements you should get the whole set to really be correct. I believe I've seen them on sword belts as well worn by officers.

Noted! I saw a photo of a volunteer from the 4th Florida (AoT) wearing a snake belt, and since I'm doing a Florida Volunteer impression, I thought it'd be a nice touch.

Edit: Found the photo for anyone who would like to see it -

 

[RedRover]

Noted! I saw a photo of a volunteer from the 4th Florida (AoT) wearing a snake belt, and since I'm doing a Florida Volunteer impression, I thought it'd be a nice touch.

Edit: Found the photo for anyone who would like to see it - View attachment 520351

Mr. Lewis Gay, of the 4th Florida, in the photograph, had a daughter who was still living several years ago...

She passed away in 2017.

Here's another Florida soldier with a British belt. Lt. Laurie Anderson of the 1st Florida Volunteers, killed at Shiloh in April, 1862:

 

[52ndFandS]

Noted! I saw a photo of a volunteer from the 4th Florida (AoT) wearing a snake belt, and since I'm doing a Florida Volunteer impression, I thought it'd be a nice touch.

Edit: Found the photo for anyone who would like to see it - View attachment 520351

Ah, another Florida impression. !!!

 

[52ndFandS]

They came with English accoutrement sets, (waistbelt, cartridge box with strap, cap box, and bayonet scabbard) as seen in the photos above. I know you're putting a reenacting kit together. If you're considering getting one or any of the English accoutrements you should get the whole set to really be correct. I believe I've seen them on sword belts as well worn by officers.

We're any, I don't know how to put this, reused if/when the UK leather bit the dust? Also is that where the buckles with lion heads on either side came from?

 

[captaindrew]

We're any, I don't know how to put this, reused if/when the UK leather bit the dust? Also is that where the buckles with lion heads on either side came from?

I'm sure that must've happened, they were a popular buckle for many many years. Yes the lion's heads came from across the pond as well.

 

[scooter748driver]

Great info on the origins and uses of the snake buckles! I have a Lions Head but haven't acquired a decent snake buckle as yet.

 

[HatEnjoyer]

Mr. Lewis Gay, of the 4th Florida, in the photograph, had a daughter who was still living several years ago...

She passed away in 2017.

Here's another Florida soldier with a British belt. Lt. Laurie Anderson of the 1st Florida Volunteers, killed at Shiloh in April, 1862:

View attachment 520360

That was a very intriguing video, thanks for sharing it here!

 

[HatEnjoyer]

Great info on the origins and uses of the snake buckles! I have a Lions Head but haven't acquired a decent snake buckle as yet.

View attachment 520397

Beautiful piece! I absolutely love its patina. I recently acquired the snake part of a Confederate-used snake buckle as my first Civil War relic, and I am very happy with it. I can only dream of owning a complete example! (I'm broke 17 year old with too many hobbies haha)

 

[iron bender]

5th Georgia Cav trooper with British Snake buckle. I'll provide name if my buddy will allow it (his relative).

 

[RedRover]

We're any, I don't know how to put this, reused if/when the UK leather bit the dust? Also is that where the buckles with lion heads on either side came from?

Jim Mayo shares an example of the British buckle on a painted canvas belt, possibly made in the South:

CS waist belts

 

[HatEnjoyer]

Jim Mayo shares an example of the British buckle on a painted canvas belt, possibly made in the South:
View attachment 520398

CS waist belts

This piece reminds me of the "ersatz" gear the Germans began making during WWI due to material shortages. They would make drawers out of sugar sacks and spiked helmets out of steel, tin, and a material that was essentially cardboard. As they say, desperate times call for desperate measures!

 

[RedRover]

This piece reminds me of the "ersatz" gear the Germans began making during WWI due to material shortages. They would make drawers out of sugar sacks and spiked helmets out of steel, tin, and a material that was essentially cardboard. As they say, desperate times call for desperate measures!

The Confederate ordnance department started manufacturing accoutrements of painted canvas. They were not considered first class, but necessary, evidently, to outfit many troops.

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Canvas was widely used in lieu of leather to overcome shortages...

 

[R. Porter]

I don't have access to any of my sources so I can't document anything, but I'm sure "S" style buckles in the form, all or in part, of real or imaginary animals were used in England for military buckles as early as the 1500's and maybe even earlier. Without animal representation I think they may go back to Roman times, but for sure back to medieval times. They also appear in continental European armies at an early date. The snake isn't always a snake, I think at least dragon heads and swan heads appear on the ends of "S" necks too.

 

[Old Soldier]

The 'snake belt' was introduced in the British army over 200 years ago, and was a feature of a rifle regiment's equipment. This is a later example from the 1903/1914 leather equipment:

They had been used in Europe since Medieval times. I can also be seen on this pre-Crimean (c 1854) photo of men of the 95th Regiment( The Rifle Brigade). (Pre-Crimean? Type 2 Enfield P53 and Albert Shakoes but may be immediately after, before uniform reforms)

We wore elasticated snake belts as kids - still available today.

Why rifle regiments? They wore another pouch on a belt - unlike line infantry - as well as the standard ammo carrier crossbelt and it was easy to remove or undo and did not pick up dirt when lying prone. ( line infantry saw no need to fire prone). They have worn them since they had their own distinctive uniform - including black leather equipment.

Many Rifle Volunteers adopted the uniform so these buckles were plentiful. They did not bear any royal or regimental markings like the standard buckle which made them an ideal export - no direct British army connection