Brass Abe Lincoln Commemorative Belt Buckle

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J
Posted by jogirl
18 years ago
AI Appraisal
💬 5 Comments 🗣️ Discuss with Community
Description

The buckle was found by my Great-Grandmother, as her father was plowing a field, in Dawson Springs, KY. My estimate of time is between 85-95 years ago. On the front of the buckle, at the bottom it reads: 'In Memory of Our Dear President' and on the back it reads: 'Official Design Approved by Mrs. A. Lincoln'. On the back under the writing is 'L-36' and above the writing are some letters in a box. They appear to be a backwards 'B' and next to it a regular 'B' and underneath both 'B's is a 'W'. The buckle is very detailed.'
Category General Antiques and Collectibles
Medium Brass
Distinguishing marks In Memory of our Dear President
Condition Excellent
Size and dimensions of this item 3 3/4" x 2 3/4"
Weight 7.4oz
History The buckle was found by my Great-Grandmother, as her father was plowing a field, in Dawson Springs, KY.
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The buckle is junk. It is one of several fake buckles that have been around since the late 1960s. Some were made by an English firm called Deane and Adams . Most are Western-style modern concoctions and are not copies of authentic old buckles. The fakes included a whole line of Wells Fargo, American Express, Ku Klux Klan, Mickey Mouse, Coca-Cola and patriotic buckles. The fakes, identified as fakes, sell for about $10.00-$25 each today. Lovejoy

Can someone please Identify what an authentic Lincoln funeral belt buckle looks like. Was there ever a funeral belt buckle made for Lincolns funeral that went to all the congressmen made by W. H. Horstman? Or am I another idiot who fell for this crap. The one I bought has inscribed on the back :

                      "The official funeral

                               Plate No  ?

                      Issued to all united

                    States congressmen

                       Washington, D.C.

                     Made from captured

                 navy confederate guns?

                 signed by william resich

                 made by W.H. Horstman" ( Could be Hurstman )

Some of these letters in the names inscribed on the back may be incorrect as many are very crude looking and hard to figure out.  There looks to be no plate number and the word guns is different looking too.  This is a picture of what I bought if this link works here cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll . I'm hoping for the best but thinking the worst just to be on the safe side.  If anything at all. At least I know I didn't pay to much if it is a repro.  If anyone knows where I can see a picture of the real thing to compare this to that would help tremendously.  My email is [email protected] if someone can help.  Or just reply to this post to let me know what you may think I have here. Thank you for the help.

 

      

                  

 

Submitted by Anonymous

My daughter has the same buckle although it is in my possession while I research it. We live in northern Nevada. How could it be a fake if this lady's g'g'grandfather found it out plowing? That would make it at least 125 years old. They were supposed to be cast from old confederate cannon barrels. I sure would like to find out, too.

Take my word for it as an Appraiser with 40 years in the business, the buckle is a fake. The story means nothing if other established facts dispute it beyond any doubt. Family histories are notorious for their embellishments, in any month I see items whose family histories would make Hollywood fiction writing look tame, such Dinner platters marked "England" ( a marking not much in use until the early 1890's)that were a gift to the family from Daniel Boone ( he died in 1820), Swords from "Custer's last stand" ( swords were not carried by Custer's men in the battle) , countless copies of the "Gettysburg Address" and "Declaration of independence", and my personal favorite "Stradivarius violins" that have been handed down father to son since 1800 stamped " Made in Germany" ( a marking not much in use until the 1920's and Stradivarius was Italian :~). Everyone wants to find a "Roadshow" treasure in their family history, in many cases the story is priceless, but the item is not ;~) Lovejoy
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