CAP PLATE, C. 1840 



USNM 6045 ll-M QS-K 658) . Figure 158 . 



The flaming grenade, adopted by the Regulars in 

 1832 after long usage by the British and other foreign 

 armies, was quickly adopted by the Militia. This 

 specimen, of silver-on-copper, was worn as a cap 

 plate either in conjunction with another device below 

 it on the cap front or as a lone distinctive ornament. 

 It cannot precisely be identified as an artillery plate, 

 but since some Militia artillery units are definitely 

 known to have worn silver buttons of the artillery 

 pattern, such is highly probable. Also known in 

 brass and in smaller sizes, it is a stock pattern. 



CAP PLATE, C. 1840 



USNM 604526 C^-K (573). Figure 159. 



Although this plate appears to be of possible French 

 or British origin, close examination indicates that it is 

 probably an American Militia device of the 1840's. 

 Its looped-wire fasteners indicate that it is a cap 

 plate. The design of the modified Napoleonic-type 

 eagle is almost exactly that used in the 1833 Regular 

 dragoon cap plate and other Militia plates; and the 

 period of apparent manufacture coincides with the 



Figure 158 



early use of the flaming grenade as an American 

 device. Incorporating two devices common to the 

 period, it would have been a stock pattern. 



CAP PLATE, ARTILLERY, C. 1840 



USNM 60432-M (S-K 188). Figure 160. 



The 1840 button for the Ordnance Corps bears a 

 flaming grenade over crossed cannon, devices that 

 date from 1832 and 1834 respectively. Consequently, 

 it seems likely that this combination emerged as a 

 stock pattern for Militia artillery early in the 1840's. 

 This specimen, struck from a single piece of brass, 

 is a copy of the French artillery device of the same 

 period, and, while it is believed to be American, it 

 may be a foreign insignia. Confusion arises in the 

 case of foreign designs, for die sinkers often used as 

 a model either an actual imported badge or a scale 

 drawing of one. 



80 



