Trying to figure out the artist- I think this piece originates from kingman area although I am not certain. Definitely a vintage piece 75 years old or so
Beautiful buckle, @annlouiseohagan.
I’m curious as to what is leading you to believe it dates to the 1950’s? The commercially made swivel bar and its mounts that are on your buckle began to pop up in the late 60’s, and by the mid 70’s, they were being used en masse.
The overall design of your buckle looks to be more aligned with the boom of Native American jewelry in the 70’s.
Two letter hallmarks can be the toughest to track down, as they are the easiest to duplicate. I am of no help concerning the artist, but have enjoyed looking at your buckle. Thank you for sharing.
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Hi thanks so much for your response. I was thinking that it was similar in age to another piece I have but maybe not! The buckle was my father’s-in-laws and I am trying to find out more regarding it. So maybe the 70’s ? Do you think it is kingman origin to the turquoise? My fil lived in southern Nevada (Boulder City) for a time so I’m thinking that’s close to kingman.[1]
Footnotes ↩︎
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Would you mind sharing this other piece simply for the sake of conversation?
Personally, I feel so. The leaves, flower appliqués, scroll wire work, and silver balls are all indicative of a style that was heavily produced throughout the 70’s.
Here are a few classic examples of similar design, technique, and relative time frame.
This is impossible to definitively say without irrefutable provenance, but Kingman is certainly one of the most popular of all American Turquoise, and it was used heavily in this era. Would you be able to provide a clear, straight on photo of the buckle in natural light? That would help those here willing to provide you with educated guesses.
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Thanks! I posted the buckle front in better light and also a bolo tie that was my father in laws. I thought he maybe purchased all this at the same time although the styles do look different. You are right about the buckle!! Very similar to the examples you posted although the turquoise in mine appears greener. Thanks for helping me out with this!
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Thank you for sharing your father in law’s shadowbox bolo. The locking clasp on the back that secures it to the cord is telling. The “Bennett Pat. Pend. C31” stamp dates the hardware component itself to 1957–1967. I’m not saying this definitively dates the slide to these years, just that the clasp was manufactured in that year range. The stone is pretty, and the silver looks awfully dark. 
I also like the fine sawtooth bezel.
It’s certainly plausible to think he may have purchased it at the same time as his belt buckle.
It can be really tough tracking down info about jewelry made in this style marked with block letter hallmarks. It was produced in such a large amount, by both Native and Anglo smiths, that unless it bears a really unique hallmark and/or boasts just as unique, indicative design elements, it’s almost impossible to provide much more than educated opinions.
@mmrogers is one of our most knowledgeable and experienced members; he is exceptionally well versed in silversmithing practices and the intricacies of the industry, and he has a keen eye for design and workmanship. Perhaps he will provide his thoughts.
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Just an opinion. The bola looks like 60’s to 70’s to me. I just don’t see this as having being made in the 50’s. I’ll have to defer to @Ravenscry’s historical knowledge of when the Bolo finding was produced. What I’m seeing is a shadow box style that first became tremendously popular in late 60’s to very early 70s.
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Good to know ! Thanks so much!
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Thanks so much! I appreciate the info!
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@annlouiseohagan, I definitely agree with @mmrogers. Simply because the finding was produced between 1957-1967 obviously does not mean the slide was made then. Someone could make a bolo today and use the same clasp. The “C-31” moniker was removed from Bennett clasps manufactured between 1967-1983.
In my humble opinion, both the buckle and the bolo look to have late 60’s - 70’s aesthetics.
Thank you for sharing and being receptive.
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I don’t have a whole lot to add to what @Ravenscry and @mmrogers have to say, other than that this bezel is problematic and in need of repair:
Looks like it got caught on something and bent, and it’s at risk for bending further or even the stone coming loose. It should be a pretty easy fix; you could take the blunt end of a wooden hammer handle and gently press the bezel teeth back yourself until they are snug around the stone.
I agree with the dating to 70’s based on style.
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