Confederate Sheet Brass Plate – Gettysburg Recovery

Description

Confederate Sheet Brass Plate – Gettysburg Recovery

 

Ex-Chester Miller Collection, Gettysburg Relic Hunter (1950–1960s)

 

Rectangular Confederate sheet brass plate recovered on the Gettysburg battlefield and attributed to noted local relic hunter Chester Miller, who was active in the 1950s–1960s during the early “golden age” of Gettysburg relic recovery.

 

The plate is cut from thin sheet brass and exhibits a pleasing, undisturbed olive-brown patina with scattered areas of surface oxidation and ground action consistent with long-term burial. The simple rectangular form of this Confederate waist belt plate exemplifies the need for experiencing of accoutrements in the field. The Confederacy frequently relied on imported or repurposed sheet brass due to material shortages, and many plates were hand-cut and locally finished rather than die-struck in the Northern industrial manner.

 

A tangible relic of Southern presence on Northern soil—representing the material culture of the Army of Northern Virginia during the 1863 campaign.

 

Inventory Number: GET 547