CARTRIDGE BOX EAGLE CROSS BELT PLATE RECOVERED BY SYD KERKSIS IN 1963 AT HARPERS FERRY

CARTRIDGE BOX EAGLE CROSS BELT PLATE RECOVERED BY SYD KERKSIS IN 1963 AT HARPERS FERRY

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$550.00

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Item Code: 490-7670

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This regulation round eagle belt plate for the sling of the infantry cartridge box comes with Syd Kerksis’ original collection envelope indicating he found it at Harpers Ferry in May 1963, and specifies that he found it on Maryland Heights at the position of the “six gun Battery.” Kerksis was one of the legendary early relic hunters and collectors, and author of “Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795-1874,” which led the way for several generations of relic hunters, collectors, students, and authors.

The plate has an excellent rim, free of dings or dents, and crisp has sharp detail to the raised rim and to the eagle with raised wings, arrows and olive branch. The face of the plate is a pleasing chocolate brown overall with some slight rubes to high points and some lighter brown in recesses. Please see our photos. The lead solder fill in the reverse has a level surface showing just shallow corrosion with a mix of bluish-gray and whitish-gray tones, with some brown stains from corrosion of the iron wire used to form the fastening loops and embedded in the fill. Both loops show surface rust, but are in place and intact.

The “Six Gun Battery” was constructed on Maryland Heights in October 1862 after Union reoccupation of Harpers Ferry following its capture by Jackson in the Antietam Campaign. It was also called the “30-Pounder Battery” from its armament with 30-pound Parrott Rifles to command the tops of Loudon and Bolivar Heights. Infantry were posted and camped in the area as well.

These plates were adopted in 1826 with hooks on the reverse for the bayonet shoulder belt and made of brass for artillery and white metal for infantry. This was changed to brass for both services in 1831 and when the bayonet was moved to the waist belt around 1842, the plates were redesigned with two loops on the back for wear as fixed ornaments on the cartridge box sling and plates with hooks were relegated to the NCO and musician’s sword shoulder belts.

This is nice example with tight provenance to the find location and to a prominent early relic-hunter, collector and author.  [sr][ph:L]

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