Number

Price

This exceptional plate is rare in any condition and usually is in very poor condition.  This is attributable to two things; first, their manufacture and distribution was very limited.  Second, because it is made of die-struck sheet iron, most would have deteriorated beyond recognition after only a few years lying in the ground.  Usually when one is found it is nearly illegible due to excessive oxidation.

There is a non-excavated example in the Virginia Historical Society Collection and from its close examination, though in poor condition, Steve Mullinax determined that the face had been painted with a black enamel. Now, with the discovery of this one, possibly the best specimen extant, though missing its sweated on copper hooks, it can be readily seen that the reverse was also painted black.

Of the few examples that have been recovered all have been in the Western Theatre and principally Arkansas.  This is the exact buckle pictured in Albaugh and Simmmons' original book on Confederate Arms.