I think i found something good??!!

[RelicDude]

So today I found this single item at a cellar whole. At first I thought it was a piece of garbage until I cleaned it. This piece of metal says 1 compy Lt infantry 10 regt. I'm curious of it period the script is very old looking . And on the back there's evidence of solder where it was attached to something. Is it an early belt plate? I just don't know what it is. Any help would be most appreciated thanks in advance- Justin

 

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[RelicDude]

I did some research and I discovered that the 10 continental regiment was an infantry unit from ct could this possibly be what the plaque is from?

 

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[Goldiver]

Superb find which I believe will be a banner find when positively identified. If you look on the reverse of the plate you will see what looks to be four solder points where hooks or some sort of attachment devices were soldered to it. I believe it is a hat plate but could be a cut down shoulder belt plate.

I encourage you to contact Don Troiani who is a major historian and collector of military relics for identification. Troiani Collector

Steve

 

[DanKnug]

Yeah, that is a nice find. The lettering style looks like it could be 1700's.

 

[cw0909]

this is as close as i could find, from Connecticut about mid pg, maybe using common Militia
and volunteer corps with tombstone infantry hat plates, will get better results
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A total of perhaps a dozen of these hat fronts are known. Most are of Connecticut origin, although at least two containing New York State devices are extant. The most elaborate of these devices bears, oddly enough, elements of the Connecticut State seal, the motto Qui Trans. Sust., and the crest of the Massachusetts coat of arms—an arm grasping a broad-sword (fig. 135). The elaborate detail of this plate indicates that it was probably an officer's. The fact that unit designations on other such known hat fronts run as high as the "23d Regt." is definite proof that these were devices of the common Militia as opposed to the volunteer corps.

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CAP FRONT, C. 1830USNM 60243-M (S-K 1). Figure 137.

Figure 137
A majority of these hat fronts are very similar in design, size, and shape, and are painted over a black background on thin precut sheets of tinned iron. This specimen carries a gold eagle with the Federal shield on its breast and a ribbon in its beak. The unit (p. 71) designation, "2d COMP[SUP]Y[/SUP]. 23d REG[SUP]T[/SUP].", also in gold, is below. The artwork, although somewhat unartistically executed, has an attractive simplicity. Other such hat fronts in the national collections are of the 2d Company, 6th Regiment; 3d Company, 6th Regiment; and 1st Company, 8th Regiment. The plate shown here has metal loops soldered to the reverse close to the edge midway between top and bottom for attachment to a civilian type hat by means of a ribbon or strip of cloth. Other such plates have hole for attachment with string.
The Project Gutenberg e-Book of American Military Insignia, 1800-1851; Author: J. Duncan Campbell and Edgar M. Howell.

 

[RelicDude]

Superb find which I believe will be a banner find when positively identified. If you look on the reverse of the plate you will see what looks to be four solder points where hooks or some sort of attachment devices were soldered to it. I believe it is a hat plate but could be a cut down shoulder belt plate.

I encourage you to contact Don Troiani who is a major historian and collector of military relics for identification. Troiani Collector

Steve

thank you golddiver for the info. I have contacted mr troiani I hope he will get in contact with me. but unfortiatly his site wouldn't allow me to attach a picture of the item.

 

[DCMatt]

I did some research and I discovered that the 10 continental regiment was an infantry unit from ct could this possibly be what the plaque is from?

This relic is not likely from the revolutionary war. Cap plates were not perscribed for the US military until 1810. Since the plate does not have " U.S." on it, I still believe this plate is from a volunteer company circa 1830 - give or take a decade. During this time Congress had greatly reduced the standing army and these volunteer companies became almost a social fraternity in many towns.

From American Military Insignia 1800-1851, by J. Duncan Campbell:

The great urban growth of the Nation during the period 1825-1860 was the golden age of the volunteer companies, and by 1845 these units had all but supplanted the common Militia. It would be difficult to even estimate the number of volunteer companies during this period. They sprang up almost everywhere, more in answer to a demand by the younger men of the Nation for a recreation that would meet a social and physical need and by emigrant minorities for a group expression than for reasons military. It was a "gay and gaudy" Militia, with each unit in its own distinctive and generally resplendent uniform. If the "Raleigh Cossacks," the "Hibernia Greens," the "Velvet Light Infantry Company," or the "Teutonic Rifles" were more "invincible in peace" than visible in war, they were a spectacular, colorful, and exciting integral of the social and military life of the first half of the 19th century.

DCMatt

 

[RelicDude]

Very interesting piece of info.

 

[RelicDude]

I have recieved information from don troiani that this is indeed a militia cap plate circa 1800-1820. So dcmatt you were really close. Thank you all for all your help.

 

[DCMatt]

I have recieved information from don troiani that this is indeed a militia cap plate circa 1800-1820. So dcmatt you were really close. Thank you all for all your help.

believe this plate is from a volunteer company circa 1830 - give or take a decade.

1830 - 10 = 1820

Congrats on the banner.

DCMatt

 

[RelicDude]

Thanks dc Matt for your help

 

[doninbrewster]

Looks to me like it might be the hat plate. Whatever it is, it is a GREAT find from the founding of our country. You don't find many engraved pieces like this.