Figure 93 



tions. Many of these variations are the resuh of the 

 plate being produced in great numbers by many dif- 

 ferent contractors during the Civil War. The original 

 design itself is interesting. The 1851 description called 

 for an "edge of cloud and rays" and the official, full 

 size drawing in Regulations for the Uniform atid 

 Dress oj the Army includes the "edge of cloud" and 

 pictures the eagle with its head to the heraldic left. 

 .\t least 50 of these plates were examined by the 

 authors, but only this specimen had the "edge of 

 cloud," silver letters and stars, and the eagle with its 

 head to the left. In most specimens the plate proper 

 is bronze, in one piece, and with the wreath silvered 

 or left plain; in a few specimens the wreath is in white 

 metal and has been applied after casting. This par- 

 ticular specimen is of an early issue. It is cast in 

 heavy brass, with the wreath applied, and has the 

 narrow brass tongue for attachment on the reverse 

 (fig. 95), typical of the early types. 



SWORD-BELT PLATE, I85I, DIE SAMPLE 



USNM 60342-M (S- K 98). Figure 96. 



This is a sample struck from a die which apparently 

 was not approved for the 1851 pattern plate. The 

 eagle has wings upraised (2 inches tip to tip), head 



Figure 95 



Figure 96 



to right, shield on breast, scroll with "E Pluribus 

 Unum" in beak, three arrows in right talon, and an 

 olive branch in left talon. Stars are intermixed with 

 "edge of cloud" and rays. 



The specimen leads to the interesting speculation 

 as to the weight given to correct heraldic usage at 



48 



