This is the quintessential U.S. infantry belt plate of the Civil War. Developed in 1839, the die struck brass face was filled with lead solder to firmly anchor the fastener, which at first was simple iron wire, but by the 1840s had changed to a brass stud and hook arrangement. This one dates 1863-1865, using the arrow shaped fastening studs used by some makers as early as 1862, but specified as the new style in 1863- an April 1863 letter by Emerson Gaylord, the prominent accouterment maker, refers to the rounded studs as the “old style,” though he himself continued using them for a time to fulfill a contract.

This one was excavated in Virginia and has a nice face with no deep scratches or dings to the rim and a fairly uniform green patina mixed with light gray. The reverse shows typical white and gray corrosion to the lead solder with no significant losses. Both studs and the belt hook are in place. This is a nice example of the regulation belt plate used by infantry (and also by heavy artillery serving as infantry.)   [SR][PH:L]

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