SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, C. 1840 



USNM 604337-M (S-K 493). Figure 111. 



This brass plate with its wire-applied devices ob- 

 viously belonged to an Irish-group Militia unit. The 

 Huddy and Duval print of the Hibernia Greens of 

 Philadelphia "'' definitely depicts an Irish harp on 

 both the shoulder-belt plate and the cap plate, but 

 the motto "erin go bragh" is not included. The 

 specimen would have been suitable for several Militia 

 organizations, such as the Irish Jasper Greens of 

 Savannah, Georgia, and the Montgomery Hibernia 

 Greens. Its devices are wire-applied, and it possibly 

 was a stock pattern. 



SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, C. 1840 



USliM. 604340 QS-K 496). Figure 118. 



This plain brass plate, having wire-applied pewter 

 letters "s L i" is believed to have been worn by the 

 Salem Lisjht Infantr\' of Massachusetts. 



SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, NEW ENGLAND GUARDS, C. 

 1840 



USNM 604343-M (S-K 499) . Figure 119 . 



Letters signifying the New England Guards are 

 embossed on a shield of white metal that is attached to 

 this brass plate, which has scalloped corners. Although 

 the officer depicted in the Huddy and Duval print 

 of the New England Guards "* wears a waist belt 

 rather than a shoulder belt for his sword, the soldier 

 standing in the backgroimd is shown with crossed 

 shoulder belts. Thus, this plate may have been an 

 item of equipment for enlisted personnel rather than 

 for officers. 



SHOULDER-BELT PL,\TE, M.\SS.\CHUSETTS, C. 1840 



USNM 604341-M (S-K 498). Figure 130. 



Although the white-metal arm and sword on wreath 

 device wired to this large brass plate immediately 

 identifies the origin of the specimen as Massachusetts, 

 the considerable heraldic license taken by this 

 insignia-maker is only too evident. When the Massa- 

 chusetts State seal was first adopted in 1780, the 

 blazonry of the crest was given as follows: "On a 

 Wreath a dexter Arm cloathed and ruffled proper, 



"" U.S. .Military Magazine (January 1840), pL 27. 

 "s U.S. .Military .Magazine (November 1839), pi. 21. 



Figure 227 



107 



