Leather is in excellent condition. It is strong and supple. The surface has browned some with age and there is some light surface dirt throughout. This belt was never dyed to conform to the 1851 regulations which stipulated that leather accouterment should be black.

The belt is complete with both drops, one long and one short. Both drops are adjusted by brass studs. The front, shorter drop has a brass saber-hook at top with an iron snap hook on the end. This snap hook is of the type usually found on Confederate belts. Both the hook and the gate are iron and the gate is attached to the body of the hook by two round rivets at the top. There is also a matching sliding leather keeper behind the belt plate. Above the front drop is a brass ring for attaching a shoulder strap that is now missing which is usually the case.

The Model 1851 plate attached to the belt is the variety with the applied silver wreath that extends above the eagles wings. The face of the plate is clean with just the lightest patina on the brass surfaces. There is not much wear to the high areas of the plate. Sometimes the patriotic shield on the eagle’s chest can be worn smooth but this one is sharp. The silver wreath is mostly bright with two leaves along one side slightly tarnished.

The reverse of the plate has a narrow tongue that sits well in the brass keeper. Neither the plate nor keeper are bench-marked.

A very nice example of an early belt that saw Civil War use.

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