Is this a sword belt plate?

[407floyd]

Found this a few years back around Palestine, Tx. It measures 50mm x 65mm. I'm assuming this is the "eye of providence" used commonly as a religious symbol and by Masons. The chains have me baffled. Can anyone give me some ideas on this piece? There is no visible inscription obverse or reverse.

 

[Bell]

I believe the woodmen of the world or a similar organization used the three link chain as a symbol. You see it a lot on old tombstones.

 

[407floyd]

Thanks Bell. You got me looking in the right direction. These are Independent Order of Odd Fellows symbols. The chains represent Faith, Love, and Truth. Maybe this is part of a uniform worn during meeting rituals.

 

[Bell]

That's right! There is an old odd fellows lodge near my house in the houston heights that has that on it now that you say that.

 

[407floyd]

Just found this 1870 Odd Fellows sword and belt at an online auction. Evidently it is part of a ritual or ceremony.

 

[Bell]

Pretty cool find id say

 

[tnvarmint]

Very cool...I would have guessed Masonic or one of the appendant bodies of Masonry

 

[TomB]

I have seen a lot of plates come out of the ground but never one like that. I would say "very rare" find. I would have no guess to value but if it were mine, and I wanted to sell it, I'd ask three or four hundred.
HH TomB

 

[407floyd]

TomB, my first thought when I dug it up was 'That's one creepy, scary looking sword plate". I really thought it would be from some obscure militia or the like.

 

[edjcox]

Watched under the eye of God bear to Truth, Faith, Love the three links of unity