All this talk of the 145th of the 3rd Maine's mustering in has got me thinking again of adding yet another piece towards completing my Union kit. So, I am looking for a VMM belt buckle.
I have seen them through Blockade Runner and that is about it. Anyone know of other sources??
Thanks,
Marc
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I know!
I believe they had em once, but havent been to their site in a while, but hanover brass has quite the selection of buckles and plates and pins....
Seamus
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
Hopefully the 3rd will come on but....
Will here, after a very long vacation South. (Please don't ask!) Any how, the VMM buckle that is normally sold is larger than the one that they actually used. After many of years of using them the hardcore wannabes folks in Maine are commenting. I still use mine and will probably continue just to tick off these folks.
To explain, the correct buckle is the smaller version of the one commonly seen. Appearantly some one in the past 60+ years took a box plate (which is the larger size) and made a belt plate of it.
General Caution: it has been determined by the Confederate Surgeon General that wearing blue can be hazardous to your health! ;)
Will
They have both
B.R. has both the large and small and I was curious on which.
Thanks!
does size really matter?
in this case its the one who has the smallest who "wins" as far as that goes those who want to be as "authentic as possible". but I have never been arrested by the authentcity Police...
seamus..(bucking the system for the little guy)
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
its all about size
It is true that the smaller version was the one issued to the milita, however I have found my pards with the tiny version to be more impreacrtable, it just doesent "get the job done" as well. That being said if I could find one (reasonably) I would pick one up, but the big ones are usually solid brass, usually sold at sutlers at the big events, are excellent farb/historical (does that make them farbical?) addition to a 3,4,5th Maine uniform kit.
I just can't help myself...
"I have found my pards with the tiny version to be more impreacrtable, it just doesent "get the job done" as well."
I had to go look that word up! I thought for sure that this college educated corporal was trying to impress us with the SIZE of his words. It must be listed in one of those BIG fancy unabridged dictionaries, because I couldn't find it in my small desk reference.
I am the proud owner of a farbical VMM buckle. I do like that word farbical! Good one Cpl. Bray! And I must say that when the opportunity, and by that I mean money in hand and buckle in sight, then I intend to add the smaller version to my kit.
Just having fun Matt! Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.
--
Michael Johnson
VMM Buckle
It would be nice to know just which units were authorized to wear the VMM buckle and who actually did. How long was it wornbefore total attrition religated it to relic status
Pvt. Steve Henry
Co. A, 3rd Maine Volunteer Infantry
"Bath City Greys
Belt buckle
Ok guys wearing blue causes boils and a very bad rash and yes guys size really does matter. CopperHeadAnnie
Farbical! alas its a good
Farbical!
alas its a good word..."hey dude! its FARBICAL!
so does it make things nearly, but not quite authentic?
does that mean I could develop blue-jean cloth? uniforms by levi strauss........the possibilities are frightening.
Seamus
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
FARBULOUS!
That's from "Queer Eye for the Reenacting Guy"
Major Eric R. Reeder
CSO, 1st Division ANV, Staff
Liberty Hill Signals
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder United States Army Corps of Topographic Engineers "Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
Anne dear...
... only the pre-1861 Blue causes the allergic reactions... The earlier stuff wears just fine...
Major Eric R. Reeder
CSO, 1st Division ANV, Staff
Liberty Hill Signals
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder United States Army Corps of Topographic Engineers "Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
Civil war makeover
Theres a reality show for a very small demographic, they can take fresh fish and turn them into mainstream reenactors, and take really farby guys and make them into authentic campaigners, and not just the clothes and equipment, but put the TBGs on diets and excercise regimes...take confederates who are dyed in the wool and make them wear a VMM buckle! a small one at that!
Seamus
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
Farbical
No matter what comes of this discussion, FARBICAL is here to stay...
Blue
My Dearest Major Reeder, I stand corrected blue uniforms are just fine pre-1860. Matter of fact I kind of adore my faux-husband in his 1812 uniform. I can tell by your piture on here that you cut a "Major" shine in your fine uniform of blue. All is well that ends well. CopperHeadAnnie
Why thank you...
Although in that uniform I hold the rank a 2nd Lt. But I appriciate the sentiments. You goin to Norlands?
Major Eric R. Reeder
CSO, 1st Division ANV, Staff
Liberty Hill Signals
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder United States Army Corps of Topographic Engineers "Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
Maj. Reeder in blue
Major I wish I was going to Morlands but at last I have to work to buy some more blue wool for uniforms I am making. Some day I really would love to see the uniform that your pic is taken in on the web page, It looks very period correct and if I may say dashing. Have a wonderful time this week-end and do think of me often as I stay on the home front working for one more yard of blue wool. All is well that ends well. CopperHeadAnnie
All that aside
The "small" one was the Militia belt plate. 1836 I think? Still in use at the war's outbreak.
(my personal stamped/filled box plate I've worn for 30 years of reenacting)
The "large" one was a BOX PLATE.
The die for the box plate was broken back in the 80's and no one makes them any more. The ones being made now are sand castings. Some are ok, some are miserable - none of them look like sheet brass stampings. Finding a casting with boxplate loops is difficult, most have belt attachments and do no take to bending well, but there are castings out there with box loops casted in.
I've never seen the belt plate reproduced except as a casting. It is cast as a belt plate at least. The originals were lead filled stampings, just smaller.
Gerald Todd
1st Maine Cavalry
Potomac Legion
Gerald Todd
1st Maine Cavalry
Potomac Legion
The actual buckle
Seamus,
I have been accosted by the authenticity police, believe me I would much rather be strip seached by the Mexican Federales. In all seriousness, I don't have a particuliar problem with use of either buckle.
There is however a new trend that has developed that most buckles are being solid cast. I am not certain if this is correct. Without actually seeing the ones in the State Musuem my guess is that it is not correct. Solid buckles are nice (mine is) but I would rather at least have it more correct. The tongs in the back doesn't allow the buckle to stay on the belt which is a pain to deal with when the belt is not worn. Does any one have information whether of not the VMM buckles were solid cast?
Will
Post note, Sgt. Todd answered this as I posted. I must be sending out some strong ESP vibes or something!
Santa
The small buckle will be mentioned in my letter to Santa.