Eagle Plate
SOLD
Item: Eagle Plate
Use: Federal. Eagle plates, also known as breast plates, shoulder belt plates, and cross belt plates, were displayed on the belt that held the soldier's cartridge box. Eagle plates with two belt attachment loops were purely 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: Die stamped thin sheet brass with solder fill and two iron wire loops.
Condition: Good, excavated, loops missing. The brass front has a greenish-brown patina. There are several spots on the front where rust from the rear iron attachment device has leached through the brass. There is a hairline fracture that extends from the eagle's beak to about the one o'clock position of the rim. The rim is fully intact and with very minor bending. The rear retains a near complete complement of stable solder with mild surface pebbling and flaking. The plate has no repairs.
Recovered: Charles City County, VA.
Approximate size: 64 mm.
Reference: Images of similar eagle plates are found in the following Civil War relic reference book:
- "Civil War Artifacts" by Howard Crouch, on page 189.
See above page in additional images.
Comments: This excavated eagle plate was acquired directly from the digger and will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War accoutrement plate or general relic collection.
- Product Code:
- PC10341
MISSED OUT ON THIS ITEM?
I may have other similar examples not yet listed.
To find out:
Call or Text: 804-873-5462
Email: virginiarelics@comcast.net