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 |
| Plate7199-Confederate-TwoPart-054-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION Confederate, two part plate, FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION Confederate two part plate, CS, Mullinax illustrations 054 to 056 CS coin style, large oak leaf wreath Research Center: Plate7199-Confederate-TwoPart-054-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION .    Details click: http://relicman.com/plates/Plate7199-Confederate-TwoPart-054-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION.html |
| P1487 ### FP1487 CS two part buckle, coin style Measurement: keepers 47mm, wreath height 51mm. Editor Note: This buckle made a brief appearance on my webpage, but was not sold and was returned to its consignor. The authenticity question is not entirely clear. This one was coated with a troublesome green coating which was clearly covering something, either a damaged patina, repair or telltale repro casting marks. The wreath shows an area cut out which is similar to some repro wreaths otherwise noted. This piece was rejected and returned to the seller, because of questions of this piece and the fact that the green coating had simply obscured too much of the details needed to authenticate this piece. This buckle was returned to my source. I later saw this buckle after it was passed back further in the ownership chain, and it became the source of considerable discussion at a show. It was discovered then that the tongue, which is probably authentic, is a repair. The neck literally broke apart during the discussion exposing the epoxy gluing it together. The seller was so sure it was not repaired that he put pressure on it before witnesses to prove his point, and to his disgust it broke exposing the epoxy. The conclusion now is that the tongue is authentic but repaired.The wreath does show a cut out area similar to some of the repros. The well on the wreath is thin, so if the casting is poor quality, the melted metal simply did not fill this area of the mold leaving this space. This spot is on the opposite side of the wreath from the similar flaw in Hanover Brass repros, so this is not a Hanover Brass repro, maybe. Or they could have cast this flaw into the opposite side intentionally. This is a detail that is very easy to misinterpret so I post it here so it can be discussed. We still have the problem that the green coating is covering important details, no telling what is underneath of that.As a side note, it is ok to collect and sell repaired pieces. Certain repaired pieces do look better than the piece not repaired. The key is disclosure. If you know it is repaired and the price so reflects this flaw then there is nothing unethical about buying or selling a repaired piece. Often this green patina is applied to pieces to obscure repairs. It can also be used to obscure damaged or overcleaned patinas. These applied coatings can be easily removed, some with water but if not with water, paint stripper will get it every time. In this particular case, I asked the seller for permission to remove the coating, I wanted to see the actual metal as a condition to purchase. The seller did not want his buckle to be so altered so I rejected it. You need to be very careful not to alter a buckle that may be returned, most sellers, including me, will not accept a return that has been altered in any way. So if examining the details under these troublesome coatings is a condition of the sale, you need to get the sellers agreement before you remove the coating. The coating needs to come off to truly authenticate the buckle, and had it been removed in this case, the repair would have been obvious. Research Center: Plate7199-Confederate-TwoPart-054-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . P1487 FP1487 Gibson John |
| P3028 ### F1028 Coin Type CS 2-Piece Belt Buckle manufactured by Hanover Brass This reproduction CS Coin Type style Two Piece is a MUST for anyone who enjoys civil war belt buckles. It is cast from red brass. Associated with the Western theater. Has original look Source: ebay auction by jaglady00 3/15/06 Coin Type CS 2-Piece Belt Buckle Plate Army of Tennessee Item number: 6612514951 Editor note: jaglady00 is Hanover Brass, items sold as reproductions. Research Center: Plate7199-Confederate-TwoPart-054-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . P3028 F1028 Picture only submitted.   |
| P3062 ### F1062 Coin Type CS 2-Piece Belt BuckleTaken from a webpage: C.S. coin type two-piece sword buckle. Excellent example of a rare Western Theatre buckle. No repairs or alterations. Editor note: The following information is from Hanover Brass: That CS two piece with the coin style CS tongue is a made up buckle by me before I got a copy of the original coin style. Charles Burnett dug the original wreath that has the cut out inside the wreath. I made up the tongue and used a copy of his wreath. This buckle never was from a original. Thank you Gary for telling us about this fake you made, years after it had been placed into the collector community. Research Center: Plate7199-Confederate-TwoPart-054-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . P3062 F1062 Picture only submitted.   |
| P2653 ### Hanover Brass repro: CS two part, Coin type. 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 # CS2P17 Plate 054 (Coin Type) CS Two Piece Belt Plate 43 x 79/wreath ht.51mm. GW stamped in the back. From the collection of John Turner. Study the detail flaws and you will spot a fake with no problem. Research Center: Plate7199-Confederate-TwoPart-054-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . Photo # CS2P17 civilwarfakes com    |
| P2654 ### Hanover Brass repro: CS two part, Coin style. 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 # CS2P18 Plate 054 (variant) (Coin Style) CS Two Piece Belt Plate 43 x 79/wreath ht.50mm. Before I cast the previous Coin style CS I made this belt plate from nothing but wood letters glued on a round disc and a copy of a wreath that Charles Burnette dug. I did a very nice job and it served the purpose until I copied an original. I see this buckle on several sites as original and for a couple thousand dollars. Well, take it home. It never was. The wreath is still in Charles Burnettes collection. I am sorry to say but there are several other buckles with the same history to follow. Thats what this site is for. Original or Reproduction? Research Center: Plate7199-Confederate-TwoPart-054-FAKE-FANTASY-REPRODUCTION . Photo # CS2P18 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. |