This was a popular belt plate for militia troops and is close to that illustrated by O’Donnell and Campbell as Plate 402, which came from a Union 1862 camp and which they date ca. 1850-1865, though the style goes back to the 1840s and there are also similar plates used after the war- Horstmann pictures one even closer, though with the eagle reversed, in their catalog as late as 1877. These are simple, stamped rolled brass having a border usually with a wreath, vine or star motif, and a central panel usually with an eagle, hunting horn or star. For the panel this uses an eagle with upraised wings in motion to the viewer’s right, carrying arrows and olive branch, and looking back to the viewer’s left. The border has stippled ground with thirteen raised stars and small shield on a short branch at bottom center. There reverse has a belt loop bar soldered on one side and a flat belt hook on the other. Sometimes the belt loop carries two tongues. On this one they are either missing or, more likely, it was made without them and the belt simply doubled back through it and was secured by friction from a sliding loop or by a secondary frame buckle with tongue further back on the belt. This is in good condition, with age stains, but no bends or cracks.  [sr] [ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!