This non-descript iron frame buckle was recovered at Shiloh and although simple, shows some care in its construction in using a center bar that widens toward the middle where it is given a deep groove to keep the tongue from shifting position. Keim’s Confederate General Service Confederate Accoutrement Plates provides a number of Confederate parallels for these “nondescript” single tongue plates, starting with Figure 527 and following. Many are rectangular and most are brass, but he includes some iron examples, including a rather square, hand forged example as Figure 551. He notes, of course, that the form is very utilitarian and may have served not only as a waist belt buckle, but on a harness or on another service accoutrement- we note that gunner’s haversacks and the like usually had adjustable shoulder straps, and we cannot rule out its use on a U.S. piece of gear either.

The buckle shows rust and corrosion, more on the tongue than the frame, but is solid. The interior and exterior corners of the frame are slightly rounded. The frame and center bar are in one plane.

This was recovered at Shiloh, fought April 6-7, 1862, up to that point the largest battle of the war, one that made and almost unmade Grant’s reputation, as a victory in driving back Confederate attacks, but with a lack of preparedness and at a high cost.  [SR] [PH:L]

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