These round eagle breast plates were introduced in the army in 1826 and originally fastened the shoulder belt for the bayonet. When the bayonets were shifted to wear on the waist belt in the 1840s the plates were retained for functional use on the NCO or musician sword belts, worn across the shoulder, or became static plates for wear on the cartridge box shoulder sling. The pattern 1864 cartridge boxes and slings officially did away with them, but they could be found still in use until the new equipment issues of the early 1870s.

This one is a good non-dug example showing a mellow tone to the brass face of the plate with just a few darker areas and some small spots of verdigris. The detail of the plate is still quite good, with just minor rubbing to the high points. The reverse shows an even, level lead-solder fill with the two iron fastening loops in place, one showing some rust staining at the base, but both intact.

Crisply marked near one loop is the maker stamp “Boyd & Sons” in an arc over “Boston.” The form of the stamp on this plate dates it before the Spring of 1864 when the company name appears in straight lines. The company had significant contracts with the US army for accouterments dating back to the 1830s. Since the same die work shows up on plates made by Wilkinson, it is likely both firms subcontracted with the same source for their plates.  [sr]

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