Figure 261 



collections there is a Militia helmet with the same 

 device used as part of the cap plate; also known is 

 another insignia, comprising the monogram alone, 

 that was used as a cartridge-box device. New Tork 

 Military Magazine for July 17, 1841, refers to the 

 elegant armory of the Troy [N.Y.] Corps where the 

 Light Guard of New York had been visitors. This 

 plate may have been an insignia of that organization. 

 The monogram is affixed with staples and leather 

 thongs, and the plate proper carries a large safety 

 pin soldered to the reverse for purely decorative 

 attachment. It is unknown whether the safety pin 

 fasteners are contemporary with the plates to which 

 they are attached. Rudimentary safety pins were 

 known in Egypt before Christ, but they apparently 

 did not appear in America until the 1830's and 1840's. 

 Walter Hunt patented the first American safety pin 

 in 1849, "^ 



SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, C. 1850 



VSNM 604361-M (J-K 317). Figure 262. 



Several Militia organizations of the 1840's and 

 1850's were called "Republican Guards," and this 

 silver "rg" monogram on a rolled-brass rectangle 

 would have been appropriate on shoulder belts of 

 so-named units. The inonogram is affixed with wire 



Figure 262 



fasteners, but the means of attachment for the plate 

 proper are missing. 



SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, C. 1850 

 USNM 604362 (I-K 518'). Figure 26}. 



The silver letters "gg" on this rolled-brass plate 

 present several possibilities for identification. Among 



'" U.S. Patent 6281 (April 10, 1849). 



Figure 263 



118 



