Crossed Cannon on a clipped corner

[MonkeyBoy]

I dug this today, measures 3 1/4 by 1 3.4, The cannons are stamped into the brass not applied. I checked the basic books, "Headgear Insignia" and "American Military Belt Plates" with no luck. I've seen crossed rifle hat plates like this before so I m assuming that is what it is. No markings on the back.


Thanks for any help,
MonkeyBoy

 

[creskol]

Not the same plate, but in the same vein .. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/w...plate-maybe-old-malitia-2-crossed-musket.html

 

[lookindown]

I thought you meant it was stamped with one side concave and one side convex...it looks like the cannons stick out on both sides...am I seeing it right?

 

[ColonelDan]

I believe Creskol nailed it for you. This is the insignia of the Army's artillery branch and my guess is that it is indeed the belt plate that has lost its fixtures on the reverse side along the way. The period of such accoutrements ranges from the Indian wars of the latter part of the 19th century to around 1900 or so. Just my best shot.

 

[Dman]

That's an awesome plate.
Congrats
Dman

 

[MonkeyBoy]

I thought you meant it was stamped with one side concave and one side convex...it looks like the cannons stick out on both sides...am I seeing it right?

No, that is just how the pictures look. It is convex.

MB

 

[MonkeyBoy]

I believe Creskol nailed it for you. This is the insignia of the Army's artillery branch and my guess is that it is indeed the belt plate that has lost its fixtures on the reverse side along the way. The period of such accoutrements ranges from the Indian wars of the latter part of the 19th century to around 1900 or so. Just my best shot.

Thanks, understand the crossed cannons wee the insignia from around 1834 on.. it is just this really does not have the look and feel of a belt buckle. The solder marks are spots on the back which leads me to believe it had wires soldered to it like a hat plate. I have several examples of hat plates with the wires still attached and when you compare them.. dead ringers. Also, it is so thin, it would have been a dress plate or just a crappy plate made to sell to militia. The problem I have with that concept is the workmanship is just too good for it to have been that. Chest belt plate AKA Breast plate I can see... not a belt buckle and looking at 100s of hat plates from every country, I still lean that way. Honestly, I'd be happy to just see one with a know reference. The cannon seem to match the style of the early design more so then the later.. but all bets are off if this was made as a militia or school plate.

MB