someone tell

[vx3 man]

Someone tell me I'm dreaming

 

[vx3 man]

n/t

 

[vx3 man]

Found 10 inches down I'm my front yard which I've checked a hundred times
before. How do I tell if its legitimate? Does anyone know? I'm still shaking I live in central Illinois no civil war around here

 

[Larry (IL)]

OK, you're dreaming............ but it sure is a nice dream. How does the back look?

 

[Larry (IL)]

No battles in Illinois but we were very active in the CW. Two authentic buckles were found around the Peoria area just this year and many more near Springfield where were large camps and the prison was. We need to look at the back and the color doesn't look just right unless the brass front is gone leaving just the lead core. What part of Illinois are you from Vance?

 

[vx3 man]

Back looks like lead and its heavy

 

[vx3 man]

I'm a hour north of Peoria,was thinking the color don't look right but letters and style are good,did they make reproductions? My house was built 1868 got the abstract the first owner came from missouri.maybe it was his who knows.

 

[vx3 man]

Haven't cleaned it yet but I can see brass on front,how would I clean this kinda scared to mess it up

 

[Larry (IL)]

You can use soap and water and a toothbrush to get most of the crud off, about the only thing you do not want to do is try to polish the brass, leave it natural after cleaning. Yes, there are a lot of reproductions but yours look authentic. I have a buddy on the Civil War forum that can ID it for you and it looks like a smaller of the two sizes so include the dimensions as well. There was also a big CW camp in Chicago during the war as well as Springfield.

 

[Larry (IL)]

This might make your heart go pitter patter.....http://www.civilwarantiqueshop.com/buckles.htm

Click on the second one down.

 

[vx3 man]

2 3/4 wide by 1 5/8 tall

 

[Larry (IL)]

Here is another 1839 Baby plate http://www.campsiteartifacts.com/leathernondugrelics.html

 

[vx3 man]

Man I can believe it,just goes to show u never know where u gunna find good stuff at. That's my lifetime find

 

[texjim]

i would not clean it at all. i did my puppy paw buckel and the brass turned red. i would just put some vasealine on it to perserve it. awesome job

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Howdy Vx3 Man--

Congratulations!!! Great find. That is really touching history!

Happy Hunting (although you COULDN'T be much happier than you are now!)
Blind Squirrel