POST MEDIEVAL BUCKLE

1500

A damaged and slightly corroded cast copper-alloy post medieval 'locking buckle'. The frame is rectangular in plan, with rounded corners. The outer edge is wide (c. 6mm), flat and rabbeted (or notched) to accept and secure a U-shaped arm attached to the pin bar: the arm has entirely broken off. The outer edge of the buckle also features a subtly incised central logitudinal pin rest. In profile the sides are expanded (th.: 6mm) to receive the off-centred pin bar; from this point they travel down to the outer edge in a curvilinear fashion. As implied, the pin bar survives in situ with the 'pin-chape' surviving around it. The latter is formed of an integrally cast rectangular element with protruding element, the stub of a broken off pin. The rectangular element is of a thickness with the sides around the pin bar perforations. Such buckles are well attested in the literature; recent published examples can be found illustrated in Egan 2005 (37-38; refs. 116, 117), which includes a reconstruction drawing. Overall the buckle measures 28.7mm x 17.9mm x 6mm, and weighs 8.80g