Figure 251 



WAIST-BELT PLATE, C. 1850 



USNM 60498~M (S-K 154) . Figure 252 . 



This is a typical stock pattern with the company des- 

 ignation "e." Other specimens in the national collec- 

 tions have the letters "d," "f," "k," and "r." Al- 

 though rather crudely cast in brass, this piece has been 

 bench-fitted and then gilded. 



Figure 



WAIST-BELT PLATE, C. 1850 



USNM 60491-1^ iS-K 248'). Figure 25^. 



This is another stock pattern with company desig- 

 nation. In this case, the numberal "1" has beenap- 

 plicd with wire fasteners rather than cast integrally 

 with the two portions of the plate. The national 



Figure 253 



collections also contain similar plates with the nu- 

 merals "2," "26,"' and "36." 



WAIST-BELT PLATE, C. 1850 



USNM 60468-M {S-K 224). Figure 254. 



This is another typical stock pattern with the eagle- 

 on-shield device surrounded by 13 5-pointed stars as 

 the center ornament. It is cast in brass in two pieces. 

 An example of this plate, on a belt, formed part of a 

 cased Sharps rifle outfit displayed at the 1960 National 

 Rifle Association meeting in Washington, D.C. 



WAIST-BELT PLATE, MUSICIAN, C. 1850 



USNM 60499-M (i'- K255). Figure 155 ■ 



The musician's lyre has never been strictly a 

 military ornament, being widely worn by civilian 

 bands; thus, this plate cannot precisely be identified as 

 military or nonmilitary. Unlike most plates of this 

 type and period, the entire piece is struck in brass 

 rather than cast. 



WAIST-BELT PLATE, C. 1850 



USNM 60485-M (S-K 241). Figure 256. 



The letters "r c b" on this brass-cast plate open 

 wide the doors of conjecture as to interpretation. 

 Possible combinations range from Trenton City Blues 

 (if such a Militia organization ever existed) to Troy 

 Cornet Band, a nonmilitary unit. Plates such as this 

 can seldom be positi\ely identified. 



115 



