Figure 131 



symbol suggests artillery, and the plate is of the 

 proper color. Although an unusual over-all design, 

 the lack of any components of state arms or crests 

 indicate that it may have been a stock pattern. 

 The reverse is fitted with two simple bent-wire 

 fasteners. 



CAP PLATE, MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY, C. 1830 



USNM 60355-M QS~K 111). Figure 1 32 . 



This silver-on-copper plate bears the familiar ele- 

 ments of the Massachusetts seal: Indian, in hunting 

 shirt, with bow in right hand, arrow with point 

 downward in left hand, and star above right shoulder. 

 The crest — an arm grasping a broad sword on a 



Figure 132 



wreath of the colors — is superimposed on a burst 

 of sun rays above. The State's motto is written around 

 the shield. The earlier plates containing elements 

 of state arms were for the most part confined to the 

 States of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. 

 No large plates bearing Pennsylvania State symbols 

 that can be dated prior to 1835 are known. 



This seal was not authorized by law until 1885. 

 However, the devices and the motto were elements 

 of the seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

 ordered prepared by the state legislature in 1780 

 and, although apparently never formally approved, 

 used as such for many years. It differs considerably 

 in detail from the seal in use from 1629 to 1684.'°^ 



CAP PLATE, MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY, C. 1835 



USNM 60316-M QS-K IT). Figure i33. 



This scalloped plate, which is struck in thin iron 

 metal and silvered, bears elements of the Massa- 

 chusetts seal, minus the motto, and the legend 

 "M.^ssACHl!SETTS Militia.'" Its siher color assigns it 



™ See ZiEBER, pp. 141-144. 



