Bronze Buckle - Colonial?

[Old Virginia]

I dug this buckle last week at a farm site here in the Shenandoah Valley. I've previously dug an 18th century ax head at this site. Anyway, can anyone shed some light on type/period of this buckle? 2" x 1.25" (approx.) It's relatively thin for a buckle. Also, has two words on the underside of the buckle. "SOLID BRONZE"

Someone else on another forum suggested 17th - 18th century single loop buckle because the tongue is also bronze, not iron. But the font and lettering style don't appear to me to be from that period. Any ideas, thoughts? Thanks!

 

[srf2112]

The fact that it was manufactured in bronze may be key to dating the buckle. From what I've read, it is not used currently used very much except in some specialty applications like sculpture. I would tend to agree with your thoughts on the lettering style but it is an intriguing find . . .good luck.