Rare – Model 1862 Enlistedman’s Navy Waist Buckle, from the F. Lord collection

This is another one of those items that you seldom come across; it is the rarely found 1862 pattern Navy friction buckle that was fashioned of iron and heavily japanned to prevent rust.  It measures 2” x 1 ¾”.

It is a simple friction-style buckle rather than the usual ornate two-piece waist plate; the pattern of 1862 was issued in limited numbers. It was the regulation Navy Waist buckle that was worn in 1862 and would be fitted to a plain buff or black leather belt. It is specifically detailed as a regulation issue item by the 4th edition of the Ordnance Manual.

These buckles are featured in drawings and in books, and this particular one was once in the private collection of Francis Lord. He was a pioneer Civil War era collector from a day when nearly no one else paid much attention to the details of many now valued Civil War collectable categories.  Lord authored the widely known, multi volume, reference, “Lord’s Civil War Collectors Encyclopedia”.

This buckle is in very nice condition with no rust and easily swivels. As seen in the pictures, if this buckle had a belt attached, it would sell in the area of $2000.00 because of its rarity.  It comes in the glass top display case pictured. This is one of those items that are almost impossible to find because there weren’t many manufactured to begin with.