A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
by Harry Ridgeway
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Ridgeway Civil War Research Center A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War |
| Civil War Plates and Buckles | |
by Harry Ridgeway |
| Plate3099-Alabama-210-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION Alabama-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION Alabama two part plate, Mullinax illustrations 210 or 211. This is JS Smith design, oak leaf wreath. Gary Williams made multiple versions. One version involved the tongue from Ridgeway collection, a tongue dug by Steve Baker and photographed in Crouch book. The original of this buckle remains in the Ridgeway collection, and regrettably Gary Williams was allowed to copy it. These copies seem to have been used extensively for fakes. Research Center: Plate3099-Alabama-210-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION .    Details click: http://relicman.com/plates/Plate3099-Alabama-210-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION.html |
| P3217 ### F1217 Alabama sword plate, oak leaf Tongue keeper 49.8mmWreath keeper 48.6mmWreath height 52.7mmAged wreath, keeper 48.8mmAged wreath, wreath height 52.8mmEditor note: The original of this tongue is in the Ridgeway collection, found by Steve Baker, Pumpkin Ridge, near Clearbrook Va. I allowed Hanover Brass to copy it around 2001. The wreath was never found, so the wreath used for this repro is from another buckle. Because I did not have a wreath, an aged wreath (pictured above) was given to me to use in my display. I did not use the repro, I do not use any repros in the museum collection, but it is an interesting example of how a nice deep dark patina can be applied rather quickly to a repro. It also fit the tongue, which is larger than the repro tongue, it appears this was facilitated by cutting the slot larger so the bigger tongue motif would slide into the wreath. There is a sprue on the top of the wreath that may be distorting the outside measurement somewhat. Note that the tongue on this example is boldly marked with Hanover brass name, neither of the wreaths are marked. I also note that this marking was applied when the casting was done, they can cast any of these plates with or without this logo. Indeed the example shown on civilwarfakes.com does not bear any of these marks. Since Gary Williams, knew that this buckle was being given to me, and he knew that I was suspicious that he was not applying marks, he certainly made sure this one had a nice bold mark. However since then many fakes made by Hanover Brass are showing up in the market place with no attempt having ever been made to mark the plates. The scheme seems to work like this, convince the collectors that he marks plates, this temporarily removes suspicion, if a plate shows up that is not marked then it has a much better chance of being accepted. This whole claim that Hanover Brass marks their plates to protect the collectors is simply not true. Research Center: Plate3099-Alabama-210-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . P3217 F1217 Manufacture by Hanover Brass, Gary Williams Not owned picture only |
| P2828 ### Hanover Brass repro: Alabama James S. Smith Two Piece Belt Plate. This is an example of Hanover Brass commercial grade reproduction, the plate has been produced in quantity, sold to the living history market, and is generally readily available. The product has also been used as feedstock for fakes, with chemical aging and other alterations. Gary Williams has provided the following pictures and explanation: Photo # CSAL6 Plate 210 (Alabama James S. Smith Two Piece Belt Plate.) 50 x 87/wreath ht.53mm. Marked GW. The original of this Alabama two piece had a die stamped disc. My reproduction is solid cast tongue. Should be no problem. Research Center: Plate3099-Alabama-210-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . Photo # CSAL6 civilwarfakes com   |
| P2830 ### Hanover Brass repro: Alabama James S. Smith Two Piece Belt Plate. This is an example of Hanover Brass commercial grade reproduction, the plate has been produced in quantity, sold to the living history market, and is generally readily available. The product has also been used as feedstock for fakes, with chemical aging and other alterations. Gary Williams has provided the following pictures and explanation: Photo # CSAL8 Plate 211 (Alabama James S. Smith Two Piece Belt Plate.) 52 x 88mm. The original had a die stamped center disc applied to the bar. My reproduction has a solid cast tongue and should be no problem. The original of this tongue is in the Ridgeway collection. Research Center: Plate3099-Alabama-210-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . Photo # CSAL8 civilwarfakes com   |
| P2833 ### Hanover Brass repro: Alabama Two Piece Belt Plate. This is an example of Hanover Brass commercial grade reproduction, the plate has been produced in quantity, sold to the living history market, and is generally readily available. The product has also been used as feedstock for fakes, with chemical aging and other alterations. Gary Williams has provided the following pictures and explanation: Photo # CSAL11 Plate 210 (1855-1861 Alabama Two Piece Belt Plate.) 50 x 87/wreath ht.53mm. Marked GW. Original tongue is in the Harry Ridgeway collection. This is another two piece that should not be a faking problem. I have destroyed most of the detail in the back of the tongue disc before I apply it to the bar. The original is a very detailed center disc front and back. Also very thin where my applied disc is thicker. Use the center disc as your reference. Research Center: Plate3099-Alabama-210-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . Photo # CSAL11 civilwarfakes com    |
| 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. |
| 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. |