detection

[absoluteherb]

I bought one plate that looked so real.On getting to use it I discovered it was not real .How can one do to detect counterfeit plates?

[emike123]

It is very difficult with some of the deliberately faked plates. I suggest you ask a couple experts before you buy it. There are many and any dealer will know a couple. You can post a picture here and we can give you an opinion, but it is best to see some of them in person. Depending on where you live, I can probably tell you the name of someone nearby who can help.

[BEAR]

It is getting to easy for people to fake plates and other things like arrowheads (ect) on E##y. Myself I would not buy nothing if I did not know the person very good or see it come out of the ground. If you really want to buy one go to a relic show and look up a good relic dealer. Someone with a good name. Do not deal with the people who just walk in with relics, but if you do take it to one of the dealers tables and ask the relic dealer about it before you buy. Better safe that sorry.

[PCGeorge]

Absoluteherb wrote:
>How can one do to detect counterfeit plates?

In addition to what other posters here have said, I have three suggestions for you.

(1) Harry Ridgeway, a well-respected longtime collector and dealer of civil war buckles and plates has created an extensive photographic database of counterfeit plates on his website. Mr. Ridgeway's internet database is called "Fake , Reproductions, and Replicas of the Civil War". To see it, go to:
http://www.relicman.com/fake.htm

(2) Purchase the (inexpensive) book titled "Repro Buckles of the Civil War" by Howard R. Crouch.

(3) Do a google-search for the phrase "reproduction civil war buckles" (or "civil war reproduction buckles") ...which should take you to many websites of dealers who sell repro buckles & plates for civil war battle reeactors. Some examples of such dealers are The Gettysburg Suttler, and Dixie Gun Works. Look through the various dealers' listings of repro buckles & plates, which usually include good photos of the items.

Regards,
Pete [P.C. George]

[BEAR]

I just had to post these pictures of the buckle I found today. This way you KNOW it is not fake. It has took me about 40 years of hunting to find one. I have pieces of them, but this one is all there. :lol: