Excavated “Puppy Paw” U.S. Belt Plate with Three .44 Caliber Bullets / On-hold

Description

Excavated “Puppy Paw” U.S. Belt Plate with Three .44 Caliber Bullets

 

Recovered at the Battle of Todd’s Tavern – May 7–8, 1864

A solid and attractive excavated Federal “puppy paw” oval U.S. belt plate, recovered from the site of the Battle of Todd’s Tavern, fought during the opening days of Grant’s 1864 Overland Campaign.

 

This example retains both original puppy paw studs on the reverse, though the arrowhead tongue is missing—typical of field loss and combat breakup. The face is strong, smooth, and well-preserved, showing an excellent brown/olive patina from decades in the Virginia soil.

 

Included with the plate are three excavated .44 caliber revolver bullets, also recovered at Todd’s Tavern. These Colt-style rounds represent classic cavalry or mounted service use along the Todd’s Tavern–Corbin’s Bridge corridor, where dismounted fighting, skirmishing, and running engagements occurred throughout May 7–8.

 

Todd’s Tavern (Spotsylvania County, VA) was the site of intense cavalry fighting between Union forces under Sheridan and Confederate cavalry under Stuart as both sides maneuvered toward Spotsylvania Court House. The area saw repeated charges, pistol fire, and close-range engagements—exactly the environment where belt hardware and spent revolver rounds were easily dropped.

 

Recovered from one of the most active cavalry battlefields of the Overland Campaign, this grouping represents a perfect blend of classic excavated Federal gear and battlefield-used sidearm ammunition.

 

Comes housed in 6 x 8  riker display case with blue velvet and descriptive card.

 

Inventory Number: REL 135