Eagle Plate - Stamped "W. H. Smith / Brooklyn" - High Quality
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Item: Eagle Plate - Stamped "W. H. Smith / Brooklyn" - High Quality
Description: Raised eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch in its talons on a plain field.
Use: Federal. Eagle plates, also known as breast plates, shoulder belt plates, and cross belt plates, were attached to the cross-belt sling that supported the soldier's cartridge box. Examples 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: Stamped thin sheet brass with solder fill and iron wire loops.
Condition: Excellent, excavated. Its brass face, with its detailed eagle clutching arrows in its right talon and an olive branch in its left, has a very pleasing even smooth dark brown patina. The rear solder is complete with both iron attachment loops still present and straight up. Visible on the rear is the military accoutrement contractor's stamp of "W. H. SMITH / BROOKLYN". Nearly every letter is fully visible. The plate has no cracks, breaks, bends, or repairs.
Recovered: Unknown
Approximate diameter: 65 mm.
Reference: A similar example of a "W. H. SMITH / BROOKLYN" stamped eagle plate can be found in the following relic reference book:
- "Field Guide to Excavated Federal Plates" by Daniel J. Peters on page 5.
See above page in the additional images.
Comments: Recovering an eagle plate of this quality today is a very rare occurrence, but digging one with a contractor's stamp is even rarer. According to O'Donnell and Campbell's buckle reference book, "American Military Belt Plates", Smith stamped plates were "common wartime style made by unidentified metal-worker W. H. Smith who supplied the Army with an abundance of regulation enlisted plates during the Civil War." This stamped eagle plate will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War plate or general relic collection.
- Product Code:
- PC2102
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