The real deal--buckles

**DWFII** · 15th November 11, 11:54 AM

I just scored a pair of 18th century (1765-1785) shoe buckles and I thought I would share them with you. I will make a pair of shoes for myself with them.

**O'Searcaigh** · 15th November 11, 12:00 PM

Beautiful buckles and what great shape for over two hundred years old. I'm envious. Where in the world did you find them?

**Cynthia** · 15th November 11, 12:02 PM

Those are beautiful! I know of a lady who has a pair of 18th century buckles and they really looked nice with her shoes. Looking forward to seeing what you make and how it all looks together.

**Bugbear** · 15th November 11, 12:04 PM

Congratulations, DWFII, I can imagine how special this is to you.

**Woodsheal** · 15th November 11, 12:18 PM

Ooooooh (drooling)...!

**tulloch** · 15th November 11, 12:19 PM

Yes, looking forward to seeing how this all goes together. They look rather dangerous as they stand there. They are beautiful as well.

**cruiser348** · 15th November 11, 02:38 PM

A fantastic find to put it mildly. Amazing condition for the age and beautifully detailed as well.

**Tobus** · 15th November 11, 02:51 PM

Wow, I love them! The fine detail is more than I expected.

They do indeed deserve a pair of shoes built around them.

**artificer** · 15th November 11, 03:28 PM

Should you accidentally make "your" shoes in a size 13US DD with a low but firm arch and a boxed toe, you'll have a customer to take the 'oops' off your hands

Those are amazing, please keep us abreast of your shoe making. A WIP wouldn't go amiss either.

ith:

**DWFII** · 15th November 11, 05:42 PM

They were given to me by my friend at Colonial Williamsburg and the foremost shoe historian in the US (that's how I am certain about the dates). He claims that you can find old shoe buckles on a fairly regular basis in antique shops on the East coast...especially in and around areas that were hotbeds of Colonial activity.

That said, this pair is particularly nice although I am sure they are not sterling. Maybe German silver, I don't know. Got to be some Bronze in the frame but the chapes and the tongues are steel. Still the workmanship and detail are the best I've seen.

I don't think they've ever been worn.

I have a pair of buckle shoes that I'm just finishing for myself and a pair of reproductions buckles already bought and set aside for them. The straps are inch and a quarter so a little too small for the antique buckles.

New shoes to fit the authentic buckles may be a while down the road.

Anyway, I thought you all might enjoy seeing them.