Cast brass lion head plate is a rare find. Plate retains much of its original gilt, especially on high areas. Belt is made of thin brown pigskin leather which was tarred. Belt measures 1 ¼” wide, has split into two pieces, and shows heavy crazing and cracking. Brass adjustment buckle is present, as well as keeper.

Many of these buckles were smuggled and ran through the Yankee blockades to the Confederate Army, along with cartridge pouches, saber & socket bayonets as well as the P53 Enfield Rifled Musket. This item is referenced in the book, “The English Connection”, page 352, which also states that there is an image of Charleston Confederates wearing the lion head plates on page 88 of Vol. 1, “Photo history of the Civil War”, by William C. Davis. Dug examples are shown in Vol. 1, p. 18, No. 6, “Philip’s” book, also in, “Albaugh’s” book, and “Confederate Faces”. Item was purchased from Francis Bannerman Co. in 1940.

This was recently part of the collection of the late Robert Jones, of Hanover, PA.  [sl]

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