LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

72143

Rare Virginia Confederate Officer's Belt Rig

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Rare Virginia Confederate Officer's Belt Rig
<B>Rare and Unusual Confederate General Officer's Belt Rig Utilizing a Virginia Staff Button.</B></I> An enterprising Confederate officer of the Old Dominion fashioned a unique belt plate for himself by wiring the face of a Steele & Johnson Virginia uniform button to the tongue portion of a two-piece militia belt plate. The plate is smaller than most being 75mm x 41mm, and is an ornate gilt brass affair decorated with scrolled floral designs at the belt attachment loops. The wreath consists of laurel and has an opening just large enough to accommodate the Virginia button. Copper wire, some solder and three neat holes were all it took to affix the button's face to the tongue. The color and toning of this addition matches the rest of the plate exactly, giving it an as-made look. Other brass elements on this rig include an adjuster and a D-ring. The belt is made of burlap covered by fine red leather, this being exposed on the interior but hidden by rich gilt embroidered brocade on the exterior. The belt's golden embellishment strongly suggests that it once was worn by a Confederate general. The plate is in excellent condition; however, the belt shows considerable wear, has some splits and suffers a small area of loss. Overall an exceptional belt rig demonstrating that ingenuity that was not a trait exclusive to Yankees.<BR><BR><B>Provenance:</B></I> <I>The Tharpe Collection of American Military History</B></I><BR><BR><B>Exhibited:</B></I> <I>The Liberty Heritage Society Museum</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Miscellaneous Collectibles, Smal (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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