Silver Plated Copper Officer's Shoulder Belt Plate with Eagle

Description:

Silver Plated Copper Officer's Shoulder Belt Plate with Eagle, 1792-95, diestruck oval plate with embossed American eagle and shield over "U.S.A.," (lacking studs and hook on reverse),3 5/8 x 2 5/8 in.

Literature: A similar belt plate is illustrated and discussed in the Encyclopedia of United States Army Insignia and Uniforms, by William K. Emerson, University of Oklahoma Press, 1996. Emerson writes: "The oldest known officers' shoulder belt plate of the Regular Army is dated to the period 1792-95 when the legion of the United States formed the army...this diestruck oval plate shows the embossed eagle as first depicted in 1783, both on the buttons worn at the time of President Washington's 1789 inaugural and on pewter buttons ascribed to the legion. The silver finish of the plate indicates it was worn by the infantry which used silver-colored buttons and trimmings."
Estimate $200-300

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