✅ SOLVED Eagle Plate - But what era & purpose?

[ModernMiner]

Eagle Plate - But what era & purpose? ***SOLVED***

I'm hoping someone can help ID this Eagle plate I dug in 2007. I never received a definite ID on what exactly it was or it's purpose?
I dug this and many more CW relics at an 1830's house & property here in NC. This house was right in the middle of a small battle at the end of the Civil War in April 1865. The house still stands with bullet holes in the brick chimney. Pretty neat to see.
The Eagle plate is made of a thin stamped brass and measures approx. 2" x 3".
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated so I can label and display it correctly.
Thank you,
MM

My questions are:

1) Is is Pre CW, CW, or Post CW era?

2) Is there a specific ID type (year)?

3) What was it's purpose and what would it have been attached to?

 

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[CMDiamonddawg]

Hi Mm Can't help with the plate , very nice one indeed . Jumped in here to say Happy Christmas and glad your surgery was successful , Get Well and Have an early recovery time rascal seeing better soon Mike


CMDDawg

 

[AU Seeker]

It looks much like a 1851 Eagle Sword Belt Plate, but after looking at many online, this one appears to be a little different, it maybe a earlier version of the 1851 Eagle Sword plate, possibly pre-CW, I'm still looking for an exact match, all of the 1851 plates I've seen are a bit more refined as far as the feathers and such go, and the way the banner comes out of the eagle's mouth is different as well, which is why I think it maybe earlier than 1851.

I also looked at post-CW eagle belt plates, e.g. Indian Wars Eagle Belt plates and they are similar as well but still not the same.

 

[AU Seeker]

This is the closest match I could find as of yet, your's seems to have had the hook and loop soldered on and this one has the hook riveted on and the missing loop appears to have been soldered on, it's listed as a "Eagle Militia Panel Plate", which I believe is incorrect, all other Eagle Militia Panel Plates I have seen have a fame work around a different style eagle, thus the "Panel" in the name of these plates, the second picture shows such a plate.

Many of these early militia plates from what I have read were used during the early part of the CW and most were made between 1835 and 1850, and later replaced by the 1851 plate.

EAGLE MILITIA PANEL PLATE - CorinthCivilWarRelics.com

1850's Non Dug Spread Wing Eagle Militia Panel Plate

 

[ModernMiner]

Hi Mm Can't help with the plate , very nice one indeed . Jumped in here to say Happy Christmas and glad your surgery was successful , Get Well and Have an early recovery time rascal seeing better soon Mike


CMDDawg

Thanks so much Dawg. It's tough driving and texting with one eye. Just kidding.
I had a detached retina and now have 3 stitches that will dissolve, a 2 week dissolving gas bubble, and a permanent silicon rubber type band in my left eye. All I need now is some fool to pick me out as the next victim for the "Knockout game".
I should hopefully be back to normal (physically I mean ) by next week.
Happy Holidays and stay out of the Dawg house.
-Doug the Dog-

 

[ModernMiner]

It looks much like a 1851 Eagle Sword Belt Plate, but after looking at many online, this one appears to be a little different, it maybe a earlier version of the 1851 Eagle Sword plate, possibly pre-CW, I'm still looking for an exact match, all of the 1851 plates I've seen are a bit more refined as far as the feathers and such go, and the way the banner comes out of the eagle's mouth is different as well, which is why I think it maybe earlier than 1851.

I also looked at post-CW eagle belt plates, e.g. Indian Wars Eagle Belt plates and they are similar as well but still not the same.

AU,
Thanks for trying to help out with the ID. It's been a tough one for sure. I just don't see any attachment points on mine or how it would have attached. Someone had mentioned it possibly having a lead backing originally, but that too hasn't been confirmed.
Hopefully someone can figure this mystery plate out.
Thanks again,
Doug

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Actually, it is the Model-1874 style. Your 50mm-by-77mm Eagle Wreath waistbelt plate is shown as plate #839 on page 500 of the book "American Military Belt Plates" -- which identifies it as a circa 1880-to-1910 Cadet buckle, for use at Military Schools. The actual Model-1874 Regulation US Army issue version was always solid-cast brass, whereas yours is thin stamped sheetbrass.

I cannot explain why the solder-spots on the back don't quite match up. It may have had a slightly different arrangement for attachment than the one in the book. Leaving that issue aside, the details of the emblem (and the plate's size) are an exact match of plate #839 in the book.

 

[ModernMiner]

Actually, it is the Model-1874 style. Your 50mm-by-77mm Eagle Wreath waistbelt plate is shown as plate #839 on page 500 of the book "American Military Belt Plates" -- which identifies it as a circa 1880-to-1910 Cadet buckle, for use at Military Schools. The actual Model-1874 Regulation US Army issue version was always solid-cast brass, whereas yours in thin stamped sheetbrass.

CBG,
THANK YOU SO MUCH for that ID. I was hoping for CW or pre-CW, but I am VERY happy to finally be able to label and display it correctly.
I'll have to buy a copy of that book so I can see a picture of it.
Thanks again, and don't ever leave Tnet.
Merry Christmas,
Doug

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Don't worry... I won't quit being a relic ID-helper here at TreasureNet until my wife calls 911 for the paramedics to cart me off on a one-way trip to the Cardiac Intensive Care Ward or Hospice. ;-)

I pray that you (and all the rest of T-Net's folks) will have a blesssed and safe Christmas.

 

[trikikiwi]

That is an awesome plate MM.

And CannonBallGuy, as usual, seems 'on the ball 'with the ID.

This is really only an excuse for me to wish you and everyone on T'Net a safe and Merry Xmas.

Cheers, Mike
(Already had Xmas, it's your turn now!)