Figure 272 



lii-.URE 273 



those on the 1851 regulation waist-belt plate. 

 The whole is superimposed on a three-quarter sun- 

 burst. Both the lion's head and the shield are fitted 

 with simple wire fasteners for attachment. 



BALDRIC DEVICE AND BALDRIC, C. 1850 



USNM66622-M. Figure 273. 



The device is attached to a red, gold-edged- 

 embroidered baldric worn by the drum major of the 

 72d New York Militia during the Civil War but 



believed to ante-date 1861. The brass shield, with 

 ebony drum sticks, is suspended from an eagle of the 

 1 834 Regular Army pattern for wear as a cap device. 

 The shield, convex with beveled edges, is very similar 

 to waist-belt and shoulder-belt plates of about 1850. 



^ Few Militia gorgets arc known, and this scarcity 

 leads us to believe that few were made and worn, 

 despite the Militia's love for the "gay and gaudy." 

 Still, some units did adopt them, and officers of the 

 Portland [Maine] Rifle Corps were still wearing them 



122 



