Artillery Belt / SOLD

Artillery Belt - Inventory Number: LEA 449 / SOLD

Cast brass two piece “US” tongue and wreath plate used officially from 1839-1851 and unofficially for some time after that. This example is mounted on its original buff leather belt with matching age and patina. The stitched end has been reinforced via rivets indicating possible southern usage as they are copper rather than brass and primitive in nature. 

The plate itself in very nice condition. The face is free of any blemishes and the “US” on the center of the tongue is very pronounced. The tongue and wreath fit together very well. 

An example of this plate is pictured on page 172 of “AMERICAN MILITARY BELT PLATES” by M. J. O’Donnell & J. D. Campbell as specimen #253. 

Photographic images show this plate in use by militia units, some volunteer artillery units and even some early in the Confederacy used this plate in the Civil War. 

Inventory Number: LEA 449 / SOLD