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Rail Trophy-Style Belt Buckle "1857-T"
Hand Engraved & Hand-Crafted Solid Sterling Silver

SOLD

Close-Up of Belt Buckle | Angled Close-Up of Belt Buckle

The amazing 1857-T trophy-style buckle is one of Neil's rail buckles. They are assembled with tiny steel screws from a main body plate, the two rails, several hinge and lock parts, and the bail and prong on the back. These buckles are uniquely engineered to have countless possibilities for materials in the main body as well as different buckle widths. All but the main body plates are lost-wax-cast. In this case, all parts of the buckle are solid sterling silver. Neil often engraves the pieces individually before he assembles the buckle.

This buckle has an unusual number of design elements all working together in synergy, creating an overall design greater than it's parts. Neil borrowed every one of these elements from one single engraved gun - The Hollenbeck made by the Syracuse Arms Co. This is also unusual, as few engraved guns have this many different things going on at once. It's like an extensive study in borders and banners. The final touch of Neil's excellence is the engraved hinged bail and the head of the bail-pin (see angled close-up).

Ever pursuing new limits and perspectives on buckle-making, Neil's new Americana Collection is the height of craftsmanship and artistry. These belt buckles are inspired by ornamentation on 19th century American guns, which were mostly engraved by German and Austrian immigrant craftsmen. Among them, engraving by German immigrant LD Nimschke is the most well-known and well-documented, and as such, Neil has found much inspiration perusing the book of "smoke-prints" of Nimschke's work. Pieces in the Americana Collection are simply numbered from 1851 - to as close to 1900 as Neil gets before his body gives out. His goal is to engrave 50 pieces for this collection.

The 1857-T trophy-style buckle is a great look on any color straight or tapered belt strap.

Note: Although, the opening is 1½" (38mm), this buckle would also work with a 1¼" (32mm) belt strap.

The Americana Collection

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