Worn by countless Federal infantrymen during the Civil War, this wonderful, original, buff leather waist belt and gilded brass plate appear to be unissued and in mint condition.  The buff leather belt is an 1856 pattern infantry belt in pristine, unissued condition. Belt measures 38” long x 1 7/8” wide and is strong and tight without any defects or flaws whatsoever. The enlisted man’s waist belt has been dyed black on the exterior surface per army regulations of the 1850’s but retains its cream / buff color on the interior. The black dye has turned to a rich, dark chocolate brown coloring with one area of the belt splotched with a few darker, almost black, colored spots. Backside or interior of the belt retains a wonderful, creamy color with just normal handling marks. Belt exhibits a Newark, NJ maker’s mark and sub-inspector’s marking on end with keeper, but is mostly illegible. Belt is in excellent condition with no tears, rips, cracking or weak areas of any kind.

The brass, oval waist belt plate attached to the leather belt is an original, unmarked, regulation 1839 pattern plate that remarkably retains almost all of its original issue gold gilt.  In very fine condition, the oval brass plate measures approximately 53 x 86 mm and bears no maker’s marks.   Construction is a rolled, die-struck, double bordered, oval brass plate with large letters “U.S.” embossed on the face.  Plate backside is lead filled and has arrowhead belt hooks and a single brass clasp hook. Lead fill is smooth with a dusky gray patina overall and no erosion at all.  Belt retains its original brass adjuster in very good condition.  Both the brass plate and adjuster retain the original gold gilt with just a few scattered spots of dark discoloration. Fine, original buff leather belts with minty oval brass plates in this condition are difficult to find in today’s Americana military collecting field.  If one is looking for an original Civil War infantryman’s leather belt and oval plate, this set is considered one of the best of the best.