David,

If the belt buckle in question is ovoid, lead-backed
brass waistbelt plate stamped "US", those were in
service prior to the war, at least as early as 1855.
One thing to be mindful of is that the belt plate is
virtually identical to the cartridge box plate except
for the method of attachment. If there are two small
wire loops on the back, you have a cartridge box
plate. However, if you have a long tang on one end,
and two either arrow-shaped or rounded ("puppy paw")
tangs facing it on the other, you've an actual belt
plate.

The first wide use of a waist belt plate bearing the
"US" motif came in with the M1839 plate, which is
substantially smaller than the Civil War era M1855.
The M1855 was used throughout the north by both state
and regular units. Variations include a plate stamped
"SNY" for a few New York regiments, and "OVM" for the
Ohio Volunteer Militia. While the rush to war created
a wide range of different uniforms, most units used
standard accoutrements, including belt and box plates.

A few sources would be:

Kerksis, S.C.
1982 "Plates and Buckles of the American Miltary
1795-1874" Stone Mountain, GA: Stone Mountain Press,
1982

Campbell, J.D. and M.J. O'Donnell
1996 "American Military Belt Plates". Alexandria, VA
O'Donnell Press.

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__________________
Carl G. Drexler
1728 S. 14th #9
Lincoln, NE 68502
402.742.6930
402.437.5392 x133 (MWAC)
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