Fresh to the collecting community is this rare and desirable Confederate uniform accoutrement that consists of a brass frame-like buckle attached to its original black leather waist belt.  Recently acquired from a Pennsylvania estate collection, this belt and buckle were recovered from the Gettysburg Battlefield sometime after the fighting ended. 

A bit smaller that the classic CS frame buckle, this brass buckle appears to a civilian type with rounded corners and a center post fitted with a hooked clasp adjuster at the middle of the post.  The non-dug, brass buckle appears cast and measures 2 5/8” long x 2¼” high exhibits a convex curve with the belt loop portion bent slightly inward. Buckle has no cracks or weak areas and wears a rich, golden patina with few dark age spots. No maker’s marks visible. 

The black leather belt is complete and is somewhat stiff to the touch but still strong.  Belt measures approximately 35” long and is 1½” wide with a leather exterior that shows moderate crazing and cracking with one tear or ripped area between the first two adjustment holes.  Belt exhibits four factory-made adjustment holes for the clasp near the tip in addition to two or three horizontal knife-cut adjustment slits along its length.   Portion of belt loop at the buckle’s center post has had its stitching completely separated.   Very tip of the leather belt exhibits a crude, hand-carved starburst pattern of lines.    

On the belt exterior near the buckle is a period paper tag glued to the leather that bears a handwritten inscription in black ink and reads “Relic from the Battle Field of Gettysburg”.  Tag measures 6” long x ½” high and shows some curling and is missing small portions of the paper. Writing is still easily visible. This original Confederate leather belt and its brass buckle specimen recovered at Gettysburg would certainly enhance any leather collection or Civil War soldier display.