"1786," as on nearly all dated pieces of insignia, refers 

 to the date of original organization of the unit. The 

 design of the plate is typical of early- to mid- Victorian 

 taste. 



WAIST-BELT PLATE, MASSACHUSETTS, C. 1840 



USNM 60497~M (S-K 253). Figure 201 . 



Bearing elements of the seal of the State of Massa- 

 chusetts, this plate likely was a stock pattern sold to 

 many officers. In construction, it is a composite 

 piece similar to the plate for officers of the Corps of 



WAIST-BELT PLATE, NEW YORK, C. 1840 



USNM 604116-M QS-K 282'). Figure 202. 



This plate, struck in poor-quality, medium-weight 

 brass, is of a stock pattern bearing the eagle-on-half- 

 globe device and the motto "Excelsior" from the 

 New York State seal superimposed on a panoply of 

 arms and colors. This type of belt plate, with the 

 device on the inner panel and a wreath between the 

 inner and outer borders, is most characteristic of the 

 1840's. More than ten different plates are known 

 that vary only as to the design of the inner panel; 

 some contain New York State heraldic devices, and 

 others contain variants of the usual eagle design of 

 the period. 



Figure 202 

 WAIST-BELT PLATE, PHILADELPHIA, C. 1840 



USNM 604390 QS-K 537). Figure 203 . 



The devices on this cast-brass plate comprise the 

 arms of the City of Philadelphia, and its form and 

 pattern, especially the floral design of the outer 

 ring, place it in the 1840's. The piece is bench-made 

 and carries on the reverse many marks of the file 

 used in its final assemljly. It must he considered a 

 stock pattern. 



Topographical Engineers (see fig. 87 and p. 45) with 

 the device applied to the inner oval. Because of its 

 unusually striking appearance, it would have been a 

 most appropriate type for staff and field officers, and 

 possibly general officers. 



WAIST-BELT PLATE, SOUTH CAROLINA, C. 1840 



USNM 60424 1-M (S-K 397) . Figure 204 . 



Somewhat larger than many plates of the period, 

 this brass specimen carries the South Carolina pal- 

 metto device. Such plates also were struck in copper 

 and sihcr plated. It obviously was a stock pattern 



98 



