Ridgeway Civil War Research Center A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
	Civil War Plates and Buckles
	by Harry Ridgeway

Plate1749-Federal-Shoulder-v11-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION Federal round shoulder plate, with eagle. The plate on the left was obtained directly from S&S Firearms, this plate is sold in their catalog to the living history market. The plate in the middle was dug by the author in the early 1960's, before reenactment became popular, this plate is absolutely authentic. The plate on the right is also dug and authentic, and is shown for comparison. The reproduction plate does seem to show more detail, however I do not see much of a difference in these dies, differences in the sharpness of the strike, wear, and corrosion, notwithstanding. This means that these are either being produced from the original die or somebody has cut a new die and achived a copy which is very close to the original.Thankfully most of the S&S plates are sold with brass hooks or heavy brass straps cut to similulate arrow hooks, neither of these hook configurations were ever used in the Civil War so if this plate is found with brass hooks of any ilk, it is a reproduction. However, the sutler also sells empty skins, which means it is possible for the back to be configured in any manner desired. Below are pictures of this plate as obtained directly from sutlers: Plate4501-Federal-Shoulder-Eagle-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTIONFakes, fantasies, or reproductionsFederal round shoulder plate. SmithDie462or466 Smith-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTIONThis is an investigative report, all items presented on this page are judged by the author to have been manufactured after the Civil War and are not authentic to the Civil War. This is an opinion only. There will be many collectors, dealers and others who will disagree with this finding, including some who are knowledgeable, reputable and honorable. There are uncertainties associated with many of these pieces, this is a judgement based on the evidence, experience, and sometimes gut feel, seldom is evidence 100%. Some of the items presented in this study have been examined, some are simply pictures submitted to the author or taken from sales or other listings. Second opinions may or may not have been obtained and some of those opinions may conflict. The purpose of this study is to present as much evidence as possible, and for the more controversial or uncertain items to present a fair and balanced analysis and let the reader conclude. This is an opinion, the author does not guarantee that these items are fake, nor does the author guarantee that they are not fake. Research Center: Plate1749-Federal-Shoulder-v11-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . Details click: http://relicman.com/plates/Plate1749-Federal-Shoulder-v11-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION.html

P2987 ### P2987 ### Shoulder plate nickel silver SS Firearms SS Firearms advertisement: Part Number: BB14 1820'S ENLISTED MAN'S CARTRIDGE BOX CROSS STRAP PLATE. Stamped Nickle Silver. With Loops For Attaching To Cartridge Box Cross Strap, Reproduction. Part Number: BB15 1820'S NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER'S CROSS STRAP PLATE. Stamped Nickle Silver. With 3 Prongs For Attaching To NCO Sword Cross Strap, Reproduction. Research Center: Plate1749-Federal-Shoulder-v11-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . SS Firearms

P2264 ### P2264...The following pictures were obtained from sales offerings, or culled from collections. It is the opinion of the author that all of these plates are fakes fantasies or reproductions: This picture was submitted for evaluation. The plate was not examined. Research Center: Plate1749-Federal-Shoulder-v11-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . Ballard Stephen

P3467 ### F1467 Federal shoulder plate, pattern 462, manufactured by S&S Firearms This is a different pattern of the shoulder plate, and is very close to pattern 462, which is the WH Smith die. Look at the feathers and leaves, generally the details are slightly better formed in the original die, but you have to look very carefully as the differences are slight. Most of them, including this one are configured with brass hooks, which are not correct for this pattern. However this sutler sells this plate as skin only, so it can easily be filled with any backing or hooks of choice. And the brass can be aged. So do not go by the hooks or the aging, compare the die details, this is the only reliable way to distinguish this repro from the real shoulder plate.Buckle measures 64mm. Editor note: Plate was obtained directly from S&S Firearms, as a sample of their production to be used in this presentation.  Research Center: Plate1749-Federal-Shoulder-v11-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . P3467 F1467 Not owned picture only

P3491 ### P3491 (F1491) ShoulderPlatePattern 462 F1491 Shoulder plate pattern 462 Buckle measures 64mm Editor note: Plate was obtained directly from a sutler, and was sold as a re-enactment supply. Research Center: Plate1749-Federal-Shoulder-v11-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . P3491 F1491 Not owned picture only

P3492 ### F1492 Shoulder plate, pattern 462, NCO Plate was bought new from an NCO. This one is way overfilled plus the arrow hooks are simply not right. So I experimented with this one. I applied heat and only thing that happened was part of the lead melted out. However it was put outside and easily aged. I did this to demonstrate that aging is not how you determine a fake, this is a fake, the patina is good, but everything else about the buckle is wrong.Buckle measures 64mmEditor note: Plate was obtained directly from a sutler, and was sold as a re-enactment supply. Research Center: Plate1749-Federal-Shoulder-v11-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . P3492 F1492 Not owned picture only

P3600 ### P3600...The following pictures were obtained from sales offerings, or culled from collections. It is the opinion of the author that all of these plates are fakes fantasies or reproductions: This plate was culled from a collection. back has been filled with some sort of plastic Research Center: Plate1749-Federal-Shoulder-v11-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION .

This is the "Ridgeway Civil War Research Center", a research tool for educational purposes only, and is provided at no cost to the reader. Some of the relics listed are retained in the author's collection, most reside in other collections and are not owned by the author. None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to relicman.com sales listings for items offered for sale. This is a work in progress, I list items as I get to them, there are many patterns that are not listed yet, this list will be regularly updated as I get pictures and descriptions for more items. I will also correct mistakes, so if you see any please tell me. All items listed are believed to be authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described. Any excavated relics have been recovered from private property with owners permission.This information is available for research purposes, pictures may be used by permission only.

Most information on this page is from:
Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795 - 1874, by Sydney C. Kerksis.
Confederate Belt Buckles & Plates, by Steve E Mullinax.
American Military Belt Plates, by Michael J. O'Donnell & J.Duncan Campbell.

Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War Plates and buckles Research center, plates, click: http://relicman.com/plates/Plate0000-Index.html. Research center, plates and buckles, click: http://relicman.com/plates/Plate0000-Index.html.

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Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway, Civil War plates and buckles, Relicman sales catalog. Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/plates/Relicman-Sales-Plate0000.html. Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/plates/Relicman-Sales-Plate0000.html.