the wow that almost wasn't.... an eagle belt plate

[GKMan]

And to think I almost passed this signal up. It was showing up at 1230 at 6 inches but it was considerably deeper so I covered the hole thinking it was trash. I walked away but the next time I passed it in my grid I listened to it again and thought it was worth a second try and out popped this nice belt plate. Other than that I found a 1929 Standing Liberty quarter. Does anyone have an idea on the vintage of this belt plate?

 

[DukeOBass]

That looks like it could have take a rifle butt blow in battle.

 

[GKMan]

Possible... We are a long way from civil war activity, where shots were fired at least. I am looking online but I can't seem to find one just like it with that ribbon that says e pluribus unum going into the eagles beak ..

 

[DukeOBass]

Maybe a Good Luck keepsake of the guy who wore it because if not for the belt buckle he'd be dead? Who knows. Things like that can make the imagination run wild.

 

[doc1964]

Wow, that is a nice belt plate - would love to find one of those someday!

 

[Digger]

Nice Recovery Gary. What makes it interesting (to me) is that there appear to be 17 stars, and the eagle has the banner "mid-way" in it's beak. Most plates have the banner held by one end. I believe they started using 5 sided stars in the early 1820's. So it won't likely be Rev or 1812 vintage. But I think it is pre-Civil War. Maybe early 1830's???
I'll keep looking to see if I can help identify it. But regardless of the vintage, it is a nice piece of history. Congrats. HH Randy

 

[GKMan]

here is the belt plate cleaned up.

 

[Digger]

any thing on the back side?

 

[GKMan]

Nothing much...

 

[CT Todd]

Outstanding Gary that a sweet find

 

[GKMan]

I finally figured out what it is...An 1840's militia belt, plate...The only reference I have found to this plate was in a 1974 book called Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795-1874
At that point it had a rarity rating of six... I don't know what that would mean now though...

I found nothing online..
Thanks to that nice fellow that sent the info to me...

 

["Dr.Tones"]

Veeeeeeeeery cool. That means you managed to find two things that I've never found in one hunt. Great job!

 

[GKMan]

Can I twist the knife a little? This is one of the farms I was going to have my western friends such as yourself hunt with me if you ever came this way

 

["Dr.Tones"]

Ouch... Can't... Breath....... Killin me. It's the thought that counts! Cheers!

 

[G. E. Edwards]

Kinda looks like he got a bayonet from behind and the buckle was hit from the backside. Just my amagination running wild

 

[GKMan]

Ouch!

 

[Larry (IL)]

Congratulations Gary, that plate is a beauty.........

 

[mtwolf2270]

Awesome find congrats

 

[GKMan]

Thanks Folks....