[historyhunter]

Hi.  Please help with identifying this buckle.  I found this in a field in Pretoria, suspect there may have been some sort of British settlement at some time. Any help or direction where I can get more info on this buckle and circa is appreciated.  Thanks

[Paul van Heerden]

Martin is a British belt maker. Have a look at this link. You can see the same sort of belt used as yours.

http://gooseberrypost.blogspot.co.za/2012/09/martins-patent-tennis-belt-c1900.html

[historyhunter]

Thanks Paul.  I also came across this article.  So it seems the design of the backing of the buckle is the martin patent.  Now to identify the front plate with the helmet on the stick and the shaking hands.  there appears to be a fusilier on the top and spears or lancers around the top outside..

[JacoS]

Nice one HH, looks very ornate and definitely old, my completely (un)educated guess would be pre 1900, guessing 1890's. Will keep my eyes open to try and find some info.

[historyhunter]

Thanks, I am so intrigued about this buckle. my uneducated guess is that this is some commemorative buckle.  was so amazed to see that some of the thread is still intact holding the springs together

[Tony Curnick]

Very nice find that buckle and in great shape

[historyhunter]

Cleaned up. 
Inside you can still see the thread from the spring belt

[Paul van Heerden]

That is a beautiful buckle. It cleaned up really well

[Neville Jones (ALF)]

Wow it came out well. Nice find

[Neville Jones (ALF)]

I have a friend called John Gilbert who I always ask if I don't know what it is and he solved the buckle puzzle. It is the coat of arms of Argentina.

[historyhunter]

Thanks everyone for info and help.  I got info from Darren that it could in fact be Argentinian belt buckle.  The horse fodder for the British soldiers came from Argentina. This could be explanation how it ended up in Pretoria.

[Paul van Heerden]

I have a friend called John Gilbert who I always ask if I don't know what it is and he solved the buckle puzzle. It is the coat of arms of Argentina.

Thanks Neville!!

[Allen]

Congrats ! Yip it certainly cleaned up nicely. Well done on the research.