Fakes, reproductions, replicas, an investigative report, by Harry Ridgeway

Fakes, reproductions, replicas,

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FP0752      CS two part buckle, Leech & Rigdon variant


Tongue keeper 54.7mm, wreath keeper 54mm, wreath 42.8mm

Editor note:  Plate was bought by me in 2002, claimed to have been found in Tennessee.  I recently returned to the seller who did accept it back with full refund.  It is believed that this piece was originally made up from parts, then it was copied by Hanover Brass (see HBF comments below).  I have discussed this with Gary Williams, Hanover Brass, who confirmed that he made this plate and that he made a few copies for the owner to use at the time for souvenirs.  It is believed that this is one of those "extras"  Note that there are a few flaws that have been introduced to this plate after Hanover Brass casting was done, such as the "X" on the back of the wreath.  I would also note that I do not find any evidence of this plate ever having been marked with the foundry name or logo.  

See comments below, as this is a "fantasy", there will not be any authentic examples out there of this pattern.

Gary Williams explanation, (civilwarfakes.com Photo # CS2P30) 

Plate 009 & 036 mixed. (variant tall belt loops) CS Two Piece Belt Plate. 54 x 82/wreath ht.43mm. Stamped GW in the back of tongue. From the John Turner collection. This was probably cast by a small foundry in Tennessee. This is the only one I have seen. The CS center is the bar type Virginia style. This belt plate should not be a problem. Check out the flaws.

Editor comment:  Thank you, Gary for telling us about this fake, in 2007 several years after it was made and placed into the collector community.  I bought it from John Turner in 2002, along with several others, they turned out to be fakes too probably, this one I retained for my own collection because it was a variant I had not seen.  You were silent as Turner was marketing these plates, I do not find any indication that you attempted to warn collectors, or that you marked these plates in any way to distinguish them.  At the time Turner was thought to have had a big collection of terrific buckles, indeed he won many awards for his buckle displays, including "Best of Show" award in 1999 at the Dalton show for his display of his Confederate plates.  Mullinax and O'Donnell featured his name in the Confederate book nearly 20 times.  Now you tell us that you made multiple copies of his plates, which you gave to him and isn't it convenient that you told him you gave him repros.  Does that clear you?  For all those years you were silent.  Now we know that many of these buckles were fake and that the two of you worked together to disguise and conceal the true identity of them.  Blame it on the "book men" who were naive, (yes they missed it or turned a blind eye), blame it on the greed of the dealers, (yep they sold these plates and produced letters and some of them made lots of money) blame it on the stupidity and naivete of the collectors (yes, I am one of them), but what is common to all these fakes, you made them.  Shame on you, Gary Williams!!!!!!