Featured Old Metal Belt Buckle

I've had my eye on this belt buckle for a while and finally bought it. Regretfully, I got it in my head to polish it to see if the dull grey colour was tarnish and ruined what made the piece so charming (especially since I can't get into the corners). Should I polish the rest or leave it as is? How old do you think it is? There is a W in an oval mark and I can just barely make out what I believe is "Made in USA". Does this look like a modern piece to you?

 

that's not a belt catch that I'm familiar with....pre 1970....at least...

 

Thanks. I really regret trying to polish it

 

lesson learned.....never polish before at lest knowing what the metal is...

look kinda like pewter.....but mo marks,,,

 

It must have been really black with tarnish.
What did you use to polish with?

Looks like silver plate.

If it were mine, I would continue to polish. You don't want to get into the corners, but the flowers, leaves, raised design around the edge, and middle should be polished a little more.
You need to use a really soft cloth so as not to scratch the metal.

Can you make any of the letters out?

 

Yeah, it really was. I used silver polish. I'm worried that I damaged it.
I used a terrycloth.

I think they say Made in USA.

 

You scratched it a little, but you haven't ruined it.

Terry cloth is too abrasive. So is some t shirt material. Old soft cotton undies, or I use my son's old sports lycra undies.

What kind of silver polish?

 

The scratches in the center were already there.
I'll use some old underwear then.
Blue Magic metal polish cream.

 

I find old socks to be the best......soft ones..

 

I have a 140lb dog. I can wax tables with him...

 

The center section has been worn away and the dot background flattened.You just need a little black Rustolium paint to redo the background.

 

Hi,
I have several cuff links with that same foliate design. The links are 1875 to 1880. Your buckle may have copied the design. I have to dig them out and post a photo of them.
greg

 

Hi,
Sorry they are not the same. Funny how the mind tricks you. I have not seen them in a long time.
greg

 

I don't know who made it but this seller thinks it's pewter. They also have a stone stuck in the middle.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-3-...262152?hash=item21317e0108:g:mWcAAOSwpRRWnE4o

 

me too...

 

post # 4......

 

Could also me an M in an oval.

I have seen buckles of this type often when scrounging around in my mostly Victorian/Edwardian world. There was a time when buckles were taken seriously as women's adornment:

http://www.morninggloryantiques.com/collectSash.html

If the one on eBay is 'Western', must have been for Miss Kitty. Hard to imagine the tumbled stone is original to it.

 

You mean you don't have a stone stuck in the middle? How disappointing

 

Ahhh....OK......the stone !!
Got it.........not on a buckle........but Got It !!!