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

Plate5399-NewYork-535-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION NewYork-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION New York, oval SNY Research Center: Plate5399-NewYork-542-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . Details click: http://relicman.com/plates/Plate5399-NewYork-542-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION.html

P2145 ### P2145 ### SNY buckle measures width-88mm, height-56mm, weight 138gmsMy name is Sylvan Peursum. We recently purchased 2 Civil War belt buckles SNY and OVM as part of an estate. We listed them on ebay and the bidding took off. However, we received a couple of messages from well-meaning ebayers who told us our buckles are not right. We contacted the high bidders and told them of the concerns about the buckles and one of the high bidders insisted they were right and suggested that those questioning our buckles might be interested in us ending the auction so they can get them at a cheaper bid. He referred us to you. I'm sending you this note in hopes that you might help us understand more what we have.I do not think these plates are authentic. They appear to be cast plates, may have a thin coat of lead on the back to give them the appearance of lead filled. The lettering is not quite right and the hooks are not right. Both of these plates seem to have come from the same maker, the originals did not actually come from a common maker as best as we can tell. The originals were fairly thin, stamped from a brass sheet, then the hooks were embedded in a solder filling. It is difficult to tell for certain from the photos, but it looks like these are artificially aged, and that there may be a thin coat of lead or solder on the back to give them the appearance of being solder filled. If you take something sharp and scratch the surface along the edge (do not make a big scratch), you may find that the edge is indistinct and that there is yellow brass just below the surface. If original you should see the distinct thin edge of stamped sheet, if these are cast and then the back ground out to fill with a thin coat of lead, the edge will not be distinct and the lead will be thin. However depending on how carefully the maker milled the edge and how deep the lead filling is may make this difficult to diagnose. Then we come back to identical aged patina, which is very irregular, similarity of the letters and it appears both plates are too thick. This is where we meet up with the possibility of a clever fake and the limits of photography. Your pictures are good enough, but determining the actual content of the metal and detecting the minute milling etc may take an examination, under magnification. So my opinion, based solely on the photographs, and without actual examination, is that these are repros, or more to the point clever fakes. Research Center: Plate5399-NewYork-542-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . Peursum Sylvan

P2269 ### P2269 ### P2269.SNY arrow hooks Jason Wyant Research Center: Plate5399-NewYork-542-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . Wyant Jason

P3164 ### F1164 SNY oval buckle AUCTION IS FOR A 100% GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC CIVIL WAR SNY STATE NEW YORK LEADBACK PUPPY PAW BUCKLE. THIS IS A NON-DUG BUCKLE. BUCKLE HAS A BEAUTIFUL PATINA AND IS IN WONDERFUL SHAPE. THIS PLATE IS ONE OF MANY PURCHASED FROM A LONG TIME ONE-OWNER COLLECTION. PLATE WAS PURCHASED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER AT A NASHVILLE CIVIL WAR SHOW BACK IN THE 80's. PLEASE EMAIL WITH ANY QUESTIONS, US SHIPPING WILL BE $6.00....... 3 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE INSPECTION PERIOD WILL BE ALLOWEDSource: ebay auction by vintage_comics_and_collectibles, 8/8/06 GENUINE CIVIL WAR SNY NON-DUG LEADBACK PUPPY PAW PLATE item number: 250014420872Editor note: This seller sells on ebay auction under Private Auction. It is highly doubtful this piece can be shown to be authentic. Research Center: Plate5399-NewYork-542-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . P3164 F1164 Picture only submitted.

P3202 ### F1202 SNY oval boxplate Send me your best offer. Hello folks and thanks for looking at my auction. Here is a Civil War State of New York SNY lead filled box plate in fine condition. This fine example was purchased at the 2004 Nashville Civil War show by myself. I purchased many fine plates that year. The plate is excavated but I don't know the exact location or date of excavation. I am sad to say that I must sell off many of my prized relics as I have been recently diagnosed with diabetes and must pay hospital bills.The belt plate is brass showing a very nice patina. The very diserable chocolate patina is seen on much of the belt plate. There is minimal pitting and loss of brass. The measurements of the belt plate are correct, approximately 85mm wide by 54mm tall.The box plate is 100% guaranteed to be authentic from the Civil War era. The winner has a 10 day inspection period for return minus shipping and insurance costs. I have set a very reasonable buy it now price. Send me an offer if you like. Please bid with confidence, this belt plate is right as rain!I will accept certified funds for payment. Money order or cashier check. I will also accept a personal check but must have a short waiting period for the check to clear the account. I am sorry but I do not accept Paypal. Shipping and handling cost is $8 to the USA. Insurance is required and will be calculated at the close of the auction. International bidders are encouraged to bid. I will answer any quesions you may have, just email me. Thanks for your attention and good luck.Source: ebay auction 10/18/06 by myoldrelics ( private ):Original Civil War SNY New York Box Plate Lead Fill 100% Authentic Low Reserve Excavated Plate Item number: 130036205333Editor note: This seller sells on ebay auction under Private Auction. It is highly doubtful this piece can be shown to be authentic. Research Center: Plate5399-NewYork-542-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . P3202 F1202 Picture only submitted.

P3259 ### F1259 SNY oval belt plateno text shownSource a webpage Research Center: Plate5399-NewYork-542-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . P3259 F1259 Picture only submitted.

P3282 ### P3282 ### (F1282) ### SMY oval arrow hooks Research Center: Plate5399-NewYork-542-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . P3282 F1282 Picture only submitted.

P3469 ### F1469 SNY oval, manufactured by S&S Firearms Plate is close to the original. This sutler sells this plate as a buckle, boxplate or the skin only, so it can easily be filled with any backing or hooks of choice. Buckle measures 54.5mm x 87mm Editor note: Plate was obtained directly from S&S Firearms, as a sample of their production to be used in this presentation.  Research Center: Plate5399-NewYork-542-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . P3469 F1469 Picture only submitted.

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.

and now a word from our sponsor.....

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.