Original Item. Only One Available. This is an absolutely gorgeous example of a Militia waist 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.

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. 

There is good verdigris on the reverse of the plate, and good service wear overall. This one has held up very well for being 200+ years old.

Comes ready for further research and display!