Item: Eagle Plate - High Quality
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: Excellent, excavated, loops present. The brass front has a light coating of yellow soil over a pleasing chocolate-brown patina which nicely highlights a well-defined eagle. The rim is fully intact without any issues. The rear retains a complete complement of solder with both attachment loops in solid shape and straight up. The plate has no cracks, breaks, bends or repairs.
Recovered: Charles City County, VA.
Approximate size: 65 mm.
Reference: Images of similar eagle plates are found in the following Civil War relic reference book:
See above page in additional images.
Comments: This excavated eagle plate was acquired directly from the digger and, if you are interested in an exceptional example, this one will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War accoutrement plate or general relic collection.
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