brass buckle ID

[hdcab]

I found this digging in the concrete like dry soil here today in TN. Man, we need some rain!! Anyway , to help keep the boards alive, this is a brass buckle including keeper. It is 1.50 X 1.3 in. marked PROV RI.
It is so hard to pitch the brass in the junk bucket !! Appreciate any info..

Bryan

 

[fenceman]

Hi bryan. Ifound a buckle identical to yours and it has [RAUF.CO.] Above the prov. ri. and mine still has the leather in the center at the prong. Found at a old house site in cville va. Maybe with my info combined with your pic will help us both find out maybe atleast what time frame the buckles came from. I,ve been digging for only 9 months and found a US BUCKLE,RICHMOND CONFEDERATE SPUR,And a bunch of other misc things. GOOD LUCK BRYAN. THE FENCEMAN.

 

[hdcab]

Thanks Fenceman. I also found one like it in a " relic grouping " of CW relics on another web site, but the picture was removed when it was sold. My buckle also has some markings on the top. but I can only make out a C. You have to click my picture and you will see a closer view.
I did a search on RAUF and found alot of modern purse books ?? , It might not be CW era but I know it is older than that ! I have a motto , If it is brass it is not junk, so it goes in the misc. brass bucket. Maybe somebody else can chime in on it.....
Good luck to you on a very rewarding hobby.

Bryan