This featured item is exceptionally rare indeed, “Die struck sheet iron non-excavated CS waist belt plate.” Listed as a Rarity 8 in “Confederate Belt Buckles and Plates” by Steve E. Mullinax. Reference Plate 152 & 153, pages 88 & 89.  Described as “Sheet Iron” CS-Oval ca. 1861-1865. Dimensions: 58 X 87mm. Construction: Die-struck sheet iron. Scrap copper or brass belt hooks soldered on. Remarks: These rare western theater plates employed a “Breckinridge” style die to strike letters “CS “into rolled iron. Examples have been found in Arkansas and Tennessee. With the few known surviving non-excavated examples, origins are typically considered as early battlefield pickups. Provenance: Bill Blackman Collection