Figure 56. — Specimen in Campbell collection. 



officers only or for all ranks. The unusually striking 

 oval specimen (fig. 56) may be this plate, but its 

 ornateness indicates that this particular design was for 

 officers only. 



SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, I790(?)-I8I2 



USNM 12804. Figure 57. 



This plate was worn bv Peter Gansevoort some- 

 time during his military career, probably after 1790. 

 Gansevoort, between 1775 and his death in 1812, 

 was successively major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, 

 and brigadier general of New York State Militia 

 and brigadier general U.S. Army (1809-1812). 

 .•\lthough distinctly Militia in design, the specimen is 

 included here as an example of the wide variety of 

 such devices worn by officers of the 1800-1821 period. 



This plate is octagonal, slightK- convex, and has 

 beveled edges. The design is hand engra\cd on cop- 



FiouRE 57 



per, and the whole is gold plated. Within an en- 

 graved border is the eagle-on-half-globe device of 

 New York State. Two studs and a hook soldered 

 to the reverse are not believed to be original. 



SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, LNFANTRY OFFICER, C. I8I2 



USNM 60431} CS-K 469). Figure 58. 



This rectangular, slightly convex plate of silver on 

 copper has beveled edges and a small slot in the center 

 for the attachment of an ornament. The ornament 

 is missing, although it can be surmissed that it was 

 an eagle. The reverse is fitted with two studs and a 

 hook and bears the hallmark of '"VV. Pinchin, Philad *." 

 William Pinchin is listed in the Philadelphia directory 

 for 1809 as a silversmith at 326 Sassafras Street. The 

 1810 directory lists only "Widow of," but another 

 William Pinchin (probably the son) appears in the 

 1820-s. 



WAIST-BELT PL.\TE, LIGHT ARTILLERY (?) , I8I4-I82I 



USNM 60452-M (S-K lOS). Figure 59. 



The design of this rectangular plate, struck in 

 rather heavv brass, is the same as that offered as the 



33 



