Original U.S. Seminole Wars Militia Waist Belt with Belt Plate and Partial Leather Hanger - Circa 1825-1835
In stock
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Original Item. Only One Available. This is an absolutely gorgeous example of a leather Militia waist belt and belt plate used during the 1820s & 1830s, around the Seminole & First Indian Wars. This exact style of buckle can be found on Page 110 of O’Donnell and Campbell’s book, American Military Belt Plates, and was in use from roughly 1825 until 1835.
This was before the U.S. had any regulation belt model, so the belt here is a fantastic hand-made leather example with hand-stitching. The belt has some small gold-toned embellishments on the exterior, with heavy wear and bending to the leather as shown. This belt had two integral hanger straps for the attachment of a sword. One of the two straps is still attached while the other has broken off, though it is still present. The remaining leather has very weak stitching and should be handled very carefully.
The buckle measures roughly 60 x 69mm, and is a gilt die-struck rolled brass plate with an applied brass tongue & belt loop bar. The buckle retains both of its original iron keepers, very rare to see. This is one of several similar designs made from brass or copper that differ only in minor die variation, including the use of either 5-pointed or 6-pointed stars, this one being the latter with 17 stars rather than 13. The eagle with shield on the breast was patterned after the Army’s 1821 Cap insignia while the modified sunburst and national motto ribbon were general militia symbols during the 1820s and 1830s.
This buckle has certainly been with the belt for a very long time, and the set is the first of its kind we have offered. Pre-Civil War belts just don’t come up for sale, so don’t miss out on this rare opportunity. We would NOT recommend putting this belt onto a mannequin set. It will display best laying down in its current configuration.
Comes ready for further research and display!
- This product is available for international shipping.
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