David,

Can you give a verbal description of the plate?  Not having the illustrated
book in front of me I do not have much to offer.  If the plate in question
is the oval variety with US on it, it could range from 1839 to 1874.  If it
is a two piece square with the eagle on it, it could range from 1851 to
1874.

Federal military uniforms at the onset of the war varied from the regular
Federal army (which in itself varied) to the different state militias whose
dress at times was quite flamboyant.  In fact non-standard uniforms lead to
confusion on the battlefield, most notoriously at the battle of First
Manassas.  By the end of the war, however, there was not one standard for
uniforms but things were beginning to become regular.

Howard

Howard Beverly, MA, MAA
Archaeologist / Senior GIS Specialist
Wilbur Smith Associates
Lexington, Kentucky

> -----Original Message-----
> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David
> P. Lynch
> Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2003 1:09 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: military issue belt buckle
> 
> Greetings Listers
> 
> During excavations at an historic farmstead in Pulaski County, Kentucky,
> HMB
> archaeologists recovered a belt buckle illustrated in Schuyler, Hartley &
> Graham's 1864 "Illustrated Catalogue of Arms and Military Goods:
> containing
> Regulations for the Uniform of the Army, Navy, Marine and Revenue Corps of
> the United States", page 47, listed as "No. 52 U.S. Regulation Belt
> Plate".
> We are wondering if anyone knows whether belt plates of this style were
> standard for a time before the outbreak of the Civil War or if uniforms
> were
> revamped around the outbreak of hostilities.  Any information or
> references
> would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Many thanks in advance
> 
> David P. Lynch
> Archaeologist
> HMB Professional Engineers, Inc.
> 3 HMB Circle
> Frankfort, KY 40601
> 
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> Tele: (502)695-9800
> Fax: (502)695-9810