This martingale heart was recovered in Orange, Virginia, and is made of a brass convex stamped shell with a lead-solder filled back that gave it weight, stiffness, and anchored three pairs of wire prongs to secure it at the heart-shaped intersection of the straps of horse’s chest band, which pretty much demanded ornamentation. These are found in a multitude of designs- many plain like this one and others embellished with eagles, charging dragoons, the letters U.S., a regimental number, initials of a militia unit, a state designation, etc. From 1851 to 1854 the saddle breast straps even of enlisted U.S. dragoons were to carry them with a company letter, replaced in 1857 by a plain brass heart like this. Civil War officers’ saddle furniture regularly had them, but as with militia the design might be dictated more by personal taste and budget. Many likely made their way into the field on the mounts of well-heeled southern mounted militia companies.

O’Donnell and Campbell illustrate a variety of martingale hearts dating from about 1812 to 1900 as Plates 419 to 438 in American Military Belt Plates. This one has an even grayish-green patina to the brass and level surface on the reverse showing brown and gray. Two of the long wire pins are in place on the reverse and the bases of the other four are visible. The face is nice, showing just five or six small dings and some shallow scratches. The rim is good and the plate would look good in a cavalry or horse equipment display, or one showing different styles of martingale hearts specifically as an element of US martial style that would have added some flash on parade.  [sr] [ph:L]

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