Introduced in 1851 for mounted troops, brass shoulder scales were decorative, but were also meant to be a shoulder defense against saber cuts. In 1854/55 they became regulation for all branches of service and were supplied in three configurations: for privates, for sergeants, and for members of the non-commissioned staff: the regimental sergeant-major, etc. This is a pair of private’s scales, with the brass half-crescents (sergeants had top and bottom sections) and separate, but plain, scales along the shoulder strap portion (non-commissioned staff had the full crescent and visible rivets along the top.)

These are in very good “dug” condition, with a nice green/brown patina to the brass. The iron strap on the underside is rusty but complete. One of the spring straps has separated; the other remains securely soldered in place on the underside. Both still retain their turnbuckles.

Unknown recovery location. From the Dean Thomas collection where they have been since the late 1960s. A fine example of excavated shoulder scales. [jet] [ph:L]

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