Militia Infantry Officer's Belt Plate / SOLD

Ca. 1835

This wonderful example is the exact specimen pictured in American Military Belt Plates by Mike O’Donnell & J. Duncan Campbell, page 190 – plate 279.  White metal (pewter or semi-metal) with die struck tongue disk and belt loops, rolled tongue bar and cast ring.  The softness of this material and its failure to hold a polish” proved a major drawback.

Silver or “White” was the color prescribed for the insignia of regular infantry between 1821-1851.  Militia officers generally followed this convention.  The Ordnance Department had recently outfitted the Army with white metal versions of the round eagle plate, therefore it is not surprising to find a contemporary officer’s plate constructed of similar material.

Inventory Number: BEL 299 / SOLD