Please help exactly identify this buckle...OLD

[jazzman]

This is 1/2 of a very old belt buckle. I am trying to find the exact match and have found similiar buckles but the crown and lion are slightly different. I think that it is older than the WW1 buckle I saw that was similiar but not exactly the same. The lion's tail was different and the crown has a different shape. I am from the US and found it 8 inches down with my metal detector in Dunnellon, Florida. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Mike]

It' a general service pattern belt buckle, but an early one in my opinion. (I'm guessing but it may be pre victorian?)

[jazzman]

Thanks Mike,
I am waiting for permission to re-search the site for the other half of the buckle. Is there anyone or anywhere you would recommend to research this further? I don't know what discription I should use to narrow down my search on the internet. I will try using the pre victorian approach to see if I can get closer to it.

[Mike]

Can I bring the image onto the forum? I think a few on here might have difficulty seeing it as it's behind a facebook log-in.

[Peter Brydon]

General Service pattern buckles could be a collecting theme on their own. It has not been mentioned if this is part of a brass or white metal ( volunteer ) item.

I have had a superior white metal female part marked " Hobson and Sons, Lexington Street, London W " for many years and have never been able to match it up with a male part of the same quality.

P.B.

[Mike]

Regarding metal detecting, hobby of mine too- but you're having better luck than me. My last trip was to some paddocks around a 15th century Peel tower, a Peel tower that was built on the site of an even earlier tower.....at it all day and found, (apart fom the usual junk)... ONE musket ball.

Perhaps I should move to Florida for the British stuff

[Mike]

Originally Posted by 8thfoot

General Service pattern buckles could be a collecting theme on their own. It has not been mentioned if this is part of a brass or white metal ( volunteer ) item.

I have had a superior white metal female part marked " Hobson and Sons, Lexington Street, London W " for many years and have never been able to match it up with a male part of the same quality.

P.B.

Does the pattern go back to the 18th century PB? Just wondering what it's doing buried in Florida (could be other explanations for a Victorian one to be there I suppose)

[BWEF]

Originally Posted by Mike

Does the pattern go back to the 18th century PB? Just wondering what it's doing buried in Florida (could be other explanations for a Victorian one to be there I suppose)

East Florida was British between 1763 and 1783.

Was this type of belt buckle being worn that early?

[Peter Brydon]

The answer is I dont know, but I think this design of buckle was introduced during Victoria`s reign.

A picture of the part found would help to see what we are dealiong with.

P.B.