Found this hidden under Colt 2nd Gen foam insert

[ClemBert]

So y'all know I have a second generation Colt 1862 Pocket Police revolver. It's actually a part of one of those 1-in-500 cased sets made back in 1980. Anyhow, it came with the original cardboard boxes for both the revolver and the accessories kit and I found the following belt buckle hidden under one of the foam inserts. Anyone know when these replica tongue & wreath (spoon & wreath) belt buckles were made or I assume are still made? And, is it even based on a real belt buckle used by the CSA or is it a fantasy design?

 

[Buddy]

I don't know who made this replica but it is a copy of an original. Do a search on (Confederate “Richmond Arsenal” Saber Belt Buckle) and you will see some examples.

 

[Eyrie G. Dogg]

My recollection is that High Standard included a belt shield like that in their display box sets for Griswold & Gunnison.

This pic is from someone at Gunslinger Gulch and shows a buckle like yours.

 

[drobs]

Perusing another board, I found a link to this company that still sand cast belt buckles that are based on historic originals:
http://www.hanoverbrass.com/

They show originals that look like yours:
http://www.hanoverbrass.com/cs-and-csa-two-piece-belt-plates-and-spurs.html

I was tempted to buy a Missouri belt buckle as the price doesn't seem unreasonable:
http://www.hanoverbrass.com/missouri.html

 

[Eyrie G. Dogg]

Check this out Clembert, it may answer a few of your questions.

http://www.relicman.com/plates/zLibraryPlate.700.ConfederateGovernment.htm

 

[drobs]

 

[4v50 Gary]

Neat find.

 

[LonesomePigeon]

I am fairly certain those Colt 2nd Gen sets in the French style case like you have there originally did include a belt buckle. I have seen them advertised in auctions with the sellers sometimes stating "includes buckle". Apparently the buckles tended to get lost so when a seller has one with the buckle it's a significant selling point. Having said that, I am not familiar enough to say that yours is the right buckle or if it's just one that somebody stuck in there. I do have a book on the 2nd Gens so I will look it up and see if it says anything about the buckles.

 

[ClemBert]

I am fairly certain those Colt 2nd Gen sets in the French style case like you have there originally did include a belt buckle. I have seen them advertised in auctions with the sellers sometimes stating "includes buckle". Apparently the buckles tended to get lost so when a seller has one with the buckle it's a significant selling point. Having said that, I am not familiar enough to say that yours is the right buckle or if it's just one that somebody stuck in there. I do have a book on the 2nd Gens so I will look it up and see if it says anything about the buckles.

Thanks everyone....looks like they go for about $45 new.

LonesomePigeon, the belt buck you are referring to would be a COLT buckle with a black background. I did not get the Colt buckle with my set and I believe that they were acquired by registering your brand new 2nd generation Colt with the factory and in return the factory would send you a letter of authenticity with your name on it and would also send you the buckle. I have the original owner's letter but it would appear he retained the buckle for himself. I would assume that the original owner had acquired the replica CSA buckle and forget that he had stashed it behind the foam lining. HERE is an example of the Colt buckle from a similar set recently sold on GunBroker.

 

[ClemBert]

The best I could tell looking at all the replicas from Hanover Brass it is most similar to THIS ONE. The ORIGINAL was recovered by Teresa Williams from the Reams Station battlefield at Petersburg, Virginia.