Oval US buckles of the Civil War

Confederate Adjutant General button
The Civil War Relicman,
Harry Ridgeway

Winchester, Virginia USA (changed hands 70 times in the Civil War!)
I am a collector buying and selling authentic Civil War Relics

US buckles of the Civil War
(regulation 1839)

Regulations were issued in 1839 promulgating the use of these oval accoutrements, buckles and cartridge boxplates. Most were produced during the 1860's and was the dominant buckle used in the war. The small size or "baby US" is an older piece, generally obsolete by the start of the war, although many are found on Civil War sites having been pressed into service, generally by militias. The large size was issued in large scale during the war to Federal troops. The belts did not hold up their pants, these belts held accoutrements (cap box, cartridge box, knife, pistol or anything else) and was fitted outside of the jacket. Soldiers in camp or on labor details generally would lay them aside, particularly if the jacket was not being worn. This in part explains why so many are found. In addition the boxplate was viewed by many as excess baggage, it served no real purpose beyond ornamenting the cartridge box, so many were discarded, particularly if a cartridge box landed in the hands of the Confederates.

All items listed are guaranteed authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described.
Any excavated relics have been recovered from private property with owners permission.

P1655 US Oval belt plate, left handed, stud hooks

The oval US plate was developed from the Regulation 1839, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern is noted for relatively
thin letters and is generally attributed to E Gaylord. Plate is configured as a left handed buckle for Cavalry, stud hooks under the "S". Constructed of oval brass stamping, solder filled, stud hooks are fitted with brass washers, covered with a lead cap.
Attractive example with clean patina, all hooks intact, original convex curve, small fragment of leather remains.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 55mm X 87mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 505 (left handed buckle, stud hooks) Sold!

P1657 US Oval cartridge box plate

The oval US plate was developed from the 1839 regulation, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern is noted for relatively thin letters, rounded bottom, contractor is unknown. Plate is configured for ornamentation for a cartridge box, use of these boxplates was discontinued in the 1864 regulation.
Oval die stamped brass plate, solder filled, two iron loop hooks.
Attractive dug face, original convex curve, hooks intact.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 55mm X 86mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 491 (cartridge boxplate) Sold!

P1658 US Oval belt plate, left handed, stud hooks

The oval US plate was developed from the Regulation 1839, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern is noted for relatively thin letters and is generally attributed to E Gaylord. Plate is configured as a left handed buckle for Cavalry, stud hooks under the "S". Constructed of oval brass stamping, solder filled, stud hooks are fitted with brass washers, covered with a lead cap.
Attractive example with clean patina, all hooks intact, original convex curve, small fragment of leather remains.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 54mm X 85mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 505 (left handed buckle, stud hooks) Sold!

P1659 US Oval belt plate, left handed, stud hooks

The oval US plate was developed from the Regulation 1839, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern is noted for relatively wide letters, somewhat flat bottom, and is generally attributed to Boyd & Sons, Boston, Mass. Plate is configured as a left handed buckle for Cavalry, stud hooks under the "S". Constructed of oval brass stamping, solder filled, distinct round cast brass stud hooks are not fitted with a cap.
Clean example, hooks intact, original convex curve, solder filling is intact.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 56mm X 87mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 496 (left hand buckle, round stud hooks) Sold!

P1660     US Oval belt plate, left handed, stud hooks

The oval US plate was developed from the Regulation 1839, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern is noted for relatively fat rounded letters and is generally attributed to W H Smith, Brooklyn, NY.  Plate is configured as a left handed buckle for Cavalry, stud hooks under the "S". Constructed of oval brass stamping, solder filled, stud hooks are fitted with brass washers, covered with a lead cap.
Marked: "W. H. SMITH / BROOKLYN"
Clean face, all stud hooks intact, original curve with minor bends, minor flaking, small ding in the bottom, piece of leather remains, mark is legible and crisp.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 54mm X 85mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 483 (left handed buckle, stud hooks)         Sold!

P1661     US Oval cartridge box plate

The oval US plate was developed from the 1839 regulation, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern is noted for relatively fat rounded letters and is generally attributed to W H Smith, Brooklyn, NY.  Plate is configured for ornamentation for a cartridge box, use of these boxplates was discontinued in the 1864 regulation. Marked: "W. H. SMITH / BROOKLYN". Oval die stamped brass plate, solder filled, two iron loop hooks.
Very clean face, both hooks intact, original convex curve, solder backing is intact, mark is legible and crisp.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 55mm X 87mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 483 (cartridge boxplate)         Sold!

P1662 US Oval belt plate, left handed, stud hooks

The oval US plate was developed from the Regulation 1839, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern is noted for relatively
thin letters and is generally attributed to E Gaylord. Plate is configured as a left handed buckle for Cavalry, stud hooks under the "S". Constructed of oval brass stamping, solder filled, stud hooks are fitted with brass washers, covered with a lead cap.
Attractive example with clean patina, all hooks intact, original convex curve, Back has been reinforced for stability, buckle is coated.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 55mm X 85mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 505 (left handed buckle, stud hooks) Sold!

P1663 US Oval belt plate, left handed, stud hooks

The oval US plate was developed from the Regulation 1839, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern is noted for relatively thin letters and is generally attributed to E Gaylord. Plate is configured as a left handed buckle for Cavalry, stud hooks under the "S". Constructed of oval brass stamping, solder filled, stud hooks are fitted with brass washers, covered with a lead cap.
Attractive example with clean patina, all hooks intact, original convex curve, solder back intact with minor flaking.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 54mm X 86mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 505 (left handed buckle, stud hooks) Sold!

P1664 US Oval belt plate, left handed, stud hooks

The oval US plate was developed from the Regulation 1839, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern is noted for relatively thin letters and is generally attributed to E Gaylord. Plate is configured as a left handed buckle for Cavalry, stud hooks under the "S".
Constructed of oval brass stamping, solder filled, stud hooks are fitted with brass washers, covered with a lead cap.
Attractive example with clean patina, all hooks intact, original convex curve, solder back intact with minor flaking, fragment of leather apron remains.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 54mm X 85mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 505 (left handed buckle, stud hooks) Sold!

P1665 US Oval cartridge box plate

The oval US plate was developed from the 1839 regulation, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern is noted for relatively
thin letters, rounded bottom, contractor is unknown. Plate is configured for ornamentation for a cartridge box, use of these boxplates was discontinued in the 1864 regulation. Oval die stamped brass plate, solder filled, two iron loop hooks.
Attractive dug face, original convex curve, hooks intact.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 55mm X 86mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 491 (cartridge boxplate) Sold!

P1666 US Oval belt plate, left handed, stud hooks

The oval US plate was developed from the Regulation 1839, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern is noted for relatively thin letters and is generally attributed to E Gaylord. Plate is configured as a left handed buckle for Cavalry, stud hooks under the "S". Constructed of oval brass stamping, solder filled, stud hooks are fitted with brass washers, covered with a lead cap.
Attractive example with clean patina, all hooks intact, original convex curve, solder back intact.
Recovered: Falmouth, Virginia Dec 27, 1986
Plate measures 54mm X 85mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 505 (left handed buckle, stud hooks) Sold!

P1667 US Oval belt plate, left handed, stud hooks

The oval US plate was developed from the Regulation 1839, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern is noted for relatively thin letters and is generally attributed to E Gaylord. Plate is configured as a left handed buckle for Cavalry, stud hooks under the "S". Constructed of oval brass stamping, solder filled, stud hooks are cast brass not capped.
Attractive example with clean patina, all hooks intact, original convex curve, solder back intact.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 54mm X 85mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 505 (left handed buckle, stud brass hooks) Sold!

P1668 US Oval belt plate, left handed, arrow hooks

The oval US plate was developed from the Regulation 1839, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern, noted for relatively
compact letters and smaller proportions, is thought to be late war manufacture, contractor is unknown. Plate is configured as a left handed buckle for Cavalry, arrow hooks under the "S".
Constructed of oval brass stamping, solder filled, brass arrow hooks with beveled tongue.
Attractive example with clean patina, all hooks intact, original convex curve, solder backing intact, leather fragment remains.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 54mm X 85mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 507 (left hand buckle, arrow hooks) Sold!

P1669     US Oval belt plate, left handed, stud hooks attributed to James M Banker Co C 7th Maryland Infantry (Union)

The oval US plate was developed from the Regulation 1839, most were made late 1850's or during the Civil War. This die pattern, noted for relatively
compact letters and smaller proportions, is thought to be late war manufacture, contractor is unknown. Plate is configured as a left handed buckle for Cavalry, arrow hooks under the "S". Constructed of oval brass stamping, solder filled, stud hooks are cast brass, no caps.
Soldier scratched the following on the back: "JMB / C 7 M" Plate was recovered Spotsylvania. Civil War data base shows James M Banker, Co C,
7th Maryland Infantry, (Union). The unit did serve at Spotsylvania.  The buckle does bear stud hooks, good chance it would have been issued before the war. More research could be done for this soldier, but it does appear to be a good match.
Attractive example with clean patina, all hooks intact, original convex curve, solder backing intact.
Recovered: Spotsylvania, Virginia
Plate measures 54mm X 84mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 507 (left hand buckle, arrow hooks) Sold!

P1670 US Oval belt plate, small size, iron hooks

The oval US plate was developed from the Regulation 1839, this small size was initially employed in the 1840's and 1850's, later replaced by the larger size. This pattern is noted for the relatively rounded letters, contractor is unknown. Plate is configured for ornamentation for a buckle, employing the early iron hooks which were unreliable. Oval die stamped brass plate, solder filled, iron loop hooks.
Crisp face, no bends, full lead, hooks missing attractive patina.
Recovered: not known
Plate measures 41.5mm X71mm (approx., oval plate is irregular)
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 519 Sold!

[Back to Buckles main page Page]

[Back to relicman.com Home Page] [Place an Order]

Confederate Adjutant General button	The Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway
	Winchester, Virginia USA (changed hands 70 times in the Civil War!) I am a collector buying and selling authentic Civil War Relics