■louRi: I I I 



Figure i 12 



assigned to the artillery because of its "yellow metal" 

 composition. It has simple wire fasteners, applied to 

 the reverse, and carries no plume socket. 



CAP PLATE, NEW YORK, C. 1825 



USNM 60273-M (I-K il}. Figure IB. 



This unusually large, shield-shaped plate, struck in 

 brass, is dominated by an eagle — within a smaller 

 shield with raised edge — standing on a half globe 

 and wreath of the colors, both of which are super- 

 imposed on a trophy of arms and flags; clouds and 

 sun rays are above. The specimen represents one 

 of the large cap plate patterns adopted by the Militia 

 for wear on the bell-crown cap soon after it came 

 into general use in the early 1820's. While a stock 

 pattern in a sense, its use was most likely confined to 

 New York State Militia because its principal device, 

 the eagle-on-half-g)obe, is taken directly from that 

 state's seal. These large plates were widely worn 

 until the middle or late 1830's when newer styles 

 began to replace them. The plume socket affixed 

 to the reverse appears to be contemporary, but has 

 been resoldcred. 



CAP PLATE, NEW YORK, C. 1825 



USNM 60356-M CS-K lit). Figure 114. 



This is a variant of the preceding plate and well 

 illustrates how an insignia-maker could adapt a 

 single die for several products. The eagle-on-half- 

 globe, with a portion of the trophy of arms and colors, 

 and the clouds and sunburst above have merely 

 been cut out from the plate proper for use alone. 

 The plate is struck in brass. 



Another specimen, of silver-on-copper, is known, 

 indicating that this insignia was made for wear by 

 infantry as well as by other branches of the service; 

 consequently, It may be termed a stock pattern. 



CAP PLATE, NEW YORK, C. 1825 



USNM 60266-M QS-K 24'). Figure 115. 



Illustrating fine craftsmanship, this elaborate brass 

 cap plate comprises perhaps the most ornate and 

 intricately detailed design ever attempted by a 

 military ornament die sinker. The strike itself has 

 been so well executed that the most minute details are 



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