Figure 138 



probably before, carries a similar crescent-shaped 

 plate, with the familiar palmetto tree device sub- 

 stituted for the eagle."- The design of the eagle, 

 however, places this piece in the 1835-1850 period. 

 A silvered ornament, it may have been made origi- 

 nally for either infantry or dragoons, and must be 

 considered a manufacturer's stock pattern. 



Figure 1 3c) 



CAP PLATE, WASHINGTON GRAYS, C. 1835 



USNM 60251-M {S-K 9). Figure 139. 



This brass, diamond-shaped plate was worn by the 

 Washington Grays, a light artillery outfit of Phila- 

 delphia. Within a raised oval are a profile of Wash- 

 ington — with his shoulders draped in a toga, a 

 typically neoclassic touch — and, below, the unit 

 designation "grays" in raised letters. A matching 

 oval shoulder-belt plate struck from the same die is 

 known."* 



Many Militia units named themselves after promi- 

 nent military personalities. There were W^ashington 

 Guards, Washington Rifles, Jackson Artillerists, and 

 so forth. 



"2 Illustrated in Military Collector anil Historian (1951), vol. 

 3, no. 3, p. 59. 



"3 See US. Military .Magazine (.April 18391, pi. 5. 



CAP PLATE, NATIONAL GREYS, C. 1835 



USNM 6029 l-M (S-K 49). Figure 140. 



An illustration in U.S. Military Magazine "* 

 shows this plate being worn by the National Greys; 

 however, with such a nondistinctive center ornament 

 as the rosette of six petals, it must surely have been a 

 stock pattern sold to many different organizations. 

 The sunburst proper is struck in brass, as is the rosette, 

 and each of the rays is pierced at the end for attach- 

 ment. The rosette is affi.xed with a brass bolt, also 

 for attachment, which must have extended through 

 the front of the cap. 



CAP PLATE, ARTILLERY, C. I840-I850 



USNM 60333-M QS-K 89^. Figure 141. 



This plate is struck in very thin brass. The com- 

 bination of devices in the design, especially of the 



"' May 1839, pi. 7. 



72 



