<p><strong>While searching in an old farm field that research said there had been a post office in the 1800's, I found this Militia Artillery belt buckle.</strong> These buckles were issued to the various states in the 1810-1820 range for use by the states to arm their militia. When the Civil War started the Southern states issued these out to arm the troops because nothing else was available at the time.</p> <p>Buckle is known as the "Star of Stars" buckle because of the design of the large star.</p>