

Figure 63 

 SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, C. I8I2 



USNM 604311 (S-K 46T). Figure 65. 



The plain, oval, slightly convex plate of brass 

 has a raised edge. The face is lapped over a piece of 

 sheet-iron backing. On the reverse is soldered an 

 early form of bent-wire fasteners. British shoulder- 

 belt plates of the Revolutionary period normally had 

 fasteners cast as integral parts of the plate proper. 



SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, C. 18 1 2 



USNM 604312 (J-K 468). Not illustrated. 



This plate is identical to the one described immedi- 

 ately above except that it is struck in copper and the 

 surface is silvered. 



SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, C. I8I2 



USNM 604314 QS-K 470). Not illustrcited. 



This plate, struck from solid brass, has a slightly 

 beveled edge and bent-wire fasteners. It is slightly 



convex. Since it is smaller than the two preceding 

 plates, it could have been designed for the Militia. 



SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, 1815 ( '? ) -I82I 



USNM 60399-M ( S-K 155). Figure 66. 



The two specimens of this plate in the national 

 collections are undocumented. Siinilar in size and 

 construction to the plain oval brass and silvered 

 plates, it has the raised letters "u.s,," three-fourths 

 inch high in the center. Definitely not later than 

 1832, it may well have been issued soon after the end 

 of the War of 1812. It is considered a Regular Army 

 item since the Militia did not use the designation 

 "U.S." at this early period. In this latter connection 

 it is interesting to note that an e.vample of the 1812 

 Infantry cap plate, type II, with the letters "us" 

 crudely stamped out, is known attached to a cap of 

 distinct Militia oricjin. 



■IGl'RK 64 



36 



