These fixed-tongue, hollow-back frame buckles are often associated with Georgia troops and still referred to as “Georgia frames” by many, but they saw service in every theatre of the war. Mullinax shows a couple from Tennessee; Keim illustrates several from Georgia and from Virginia. This one was recovered in Orange, VA, the site of extensive Confederate camps from the winter of 1863-64.

The pattern improves upon the simple and robust flat frame buckle with fixed tongues by casting it with a channel on the reverse of the frame (hence “gutter back,”) which saved on metal, and both lightened strengthened the plate. The central bar is cast in the same plane as the face of the frame and is flat, but with nicely beveled edges. The same holds true for the two fixed tongues, which are narrow and preserve good points. Some care in producing this is evident from the crisp inner corners of the frame. The face and edges were finished, though there is now some darker speckling to the otherwise light chocolate brown face. There was no need to finish the gutter on the reverse, so the sand casting is evident there.

This is a good example of a typically Confederate belt buckle- essentially a “general service” plate. We often think of these as strictly infantry plates, and they show up in some gangbuster period photographs of Confederate infantrymen, but Keim (Confederate General Service Accoutrement Plates) also illustrates a nice example still on its sword belt on page 202.  Measures 62mm x 69mm.  [sr] [ph:L]

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