Eagle Plate - Stamped "BOYD & SONS / BOSTON"
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Item: Eagle Plate - Stamped "BOYD & SONS / BOSTON"
Use: Federal. Eagle plates, also known as breast plates, shoulder belt plates, and cross belt plates, depicting a raised eagle clutching arrows in its right talon and an olive branch in its left. They were attached to the cross-belt sling that supported the soldier's cartridge box. They were primarily ornamental and proudly worn by Union soldiers with the belt slung over the shoulder and across the chest. See the additional images in this listing for an image showing its use.
Construction: Stamped thin sheet brass with solder fill and iron wire loops.
Condition: Excellent, excavated. Its brass face, with its slightly worn eagle clutching arrows in its right talon and an olive branch in its left, has a dark army green patina. The rear solder is complete with a very minor surface flaking near the rim. Both iron attachment loops are present, solid, and nearly straight up. Visible on the rear is the military accoutrement contactor's stamp of "BOYD & SONS / BOSTON" with every letter visible. Also found on the rear are the very faint letters believed to be "DLL" or "DILL", perhaps initials or name. Also found on the rear, near the center, is a small cone shaped depression. The plate has no cracks, breaks, bends, or repairs.
Recovered: Gettysburg, PA area.
Approximate diameter: 63 mm.
Reference: Similar examples of a "BOYD & SONS / BOSTON" stamped eagle plates can be found in the following relic reference books:
- "American Military Belt Plates" by Michael J. O'Donnell and J. Duncan Campbell, on page 286, Plate 455. (*See Comments section below)
- "Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795-1874", by Sydney C. Kerksis on page 512.
See above pages in the additional images.
Comments: Recovering an eagle plate of this quality today is a very rare occurrence, but one with a contactor's stamp is even rarer. *The NCO (non-commissioned officer) plate used as a reference in the above-mentioned O'Donnell and Campbell's buckle reference book, has three hooks instead of two loops found on the plate offered in this listing. This was intentionally done because it not only shows the correct Boyd stamp, but also is the correct die stamp for the eagle. This stamped eagle plate will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War plate or general relic collection.
- Product Code:
- PC6541
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