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     The style of Officer’s Waist Belt pictured here has a very unusual history.  South Carolina adopted the Palmetto state seal and motto “ANIMIS OPIBUSQUE PARATI” (prepared in mind and resources) to commemorate the defeat of the invading English at Fort Moultrie.  This plate, however, was made in England.

     Cast of brass, chased to bring out the detail and finally gilted, it is among the finest of the era.  It was imported from England in Antebellum days for sale to South Carolina’s militias in both gilt and silver models.  Some were brought through or attempted to pass through the Yankee blockade during the war as examples have been recovered from a sunken blockade-runner off the coast of Charleston.  The buckles recovered from the blockade runner were packed together, without belts.  The belts were added in Southern facilities.  This particular belt successfully ran through the blockade and is mounted on its original Confederate manufactured thick patent leather belt over coarse heavy webbing.  This heavy belt was for use rather than show.  Originally it had two sword hangers stitched to it, which have been removed.

     The belt is strong and supple, strong enough to mount on a mannequin.  The patent leather outer layer has few cracks and abrasions (very few) and no weak spots whatsoever.  The belt remains strong enough to wear today.  The stitching remains tight.  Both the tongue and wreath are stamped with the number 18, insuring a perfect match.

     This belt was at one time on display at the Confederate States Armory & Museum in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and it is shown on page 35 of Collecting the Confederacy.

     I know of no other examples of this rare belt plate on their original belt, and few off.  This is the best of the best for rarity and quality.