Sometime in 1862, the 62^nd and 83^rd PA, along with the 18^th Mass., were issued French Chasseur uniforms which included a black leather shako with this plate on the front. The three regiments named got the shakos with the plate removed. It is also believed that some regiments in the Excelsior Brigade of New York were issued the shakos with the plates. There is no question these plates were made for the American market as evidenced by the US shield on the eagle’s chest at the top.

The one offered here is a stamped brass plate with a spread winged eagle at top. He holds a laurel wreath in one talon and a bunch of arrows in the other. On his chest is a United States national shield with red stripes and a blue field. The eagle is perched above a wreath of laurel with a scroll at center. On the scroll is an infantry hunting horn on what remains of a black background. Most of the paint around the bugle is gone. Just traces of it remain. The back of the plate has both wires for attaching to a shako.