SOLDIER CARVED 1826 PATTERN SHOULDER BELT PLATE

$325.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 2020-937

This is an excavated regulation issue Civil War belt plate for the infantry cartridge box shoulder sling that has been personalized by a soldier who caved his initials, “W  “U,” separated by a “+,” and the date, “1862” on the rear of the plate. This was excavated at Fredericksburg, which was the site of fighting in 1862 and 1863, and also the site of extensive Union army camps.

The front of the brass plate shows a mix of green and gray metal with some brown dirt and rust coming through from the corrosion of the iron wire held in the lead solder fill the plate. The wire formed loops on the reverse for attaching the plate to the shoulder belt. The reverse shows similar corrosion to the lead solder itself from the iron wire, which does not affect the soldier’s initials. The lower portion of the back shows a “V” or “A” and part of another letter that may have identified the soldier’s unit or state.

These plates were initially adopted with adjusting hooks for the infantry bayonet shoulder belt in 1826. When bayonets were moved to the waist belt, the plate was moved over to the shoulder belt of the cartridge box and were fixed in place with a thong run through loops on the reverse. They remained regulation throughout the Civil War, those plates with hooks being reserved for NCO and musician’s shoulder sword belts. The face bears the arms of the U.S.: an eagle clutching arrows and olive branch. They are impressive plates, visible in many, many photos of Civil War soldiers and were paired with an oval plate bearing “U.S.” in raised letters that was mounted on the flap of the cartridge box itself.

This looks pretty much as it did coming out of the ground and can only make one wonder about the identity and fate of the original owner.  [sr]

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

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

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!

Inquire About SOLDIER CARVED 1826 PATTERN SHOULDER BELT PLATE

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

CIVIL WAR PRIVATELY PURCHASED FORAGE CAP WITH 23rd CORPS BADGE

This is a very good example of an original Civil War, Union army, privately purchased, or commercial, forage cap. These were typically worn by officers, who had to purchase their own uniforms and equipment from military outfitters, but were available… (1052-162). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

25
Mar

April 13-14: Spring Gettysburg Military Antiques Show Learn More »

Instagram