Militia Shield???

[zaxfire69]

Hello. A friend of mine has found this on his property and we are trying to ID it. The only piece I could find on the internet with this style of Eagle was an 1825-1832 Militia Artillery Officer Belt Plate. IT has the same style Eagle, but it is a Tongue Belt plate. This piece is in the shape of a shield. Appears to be brass. I don't have a picture of the back of it, but I do have one of the front of the plate. Any information from you guys would be great. This was dug on my friends property and he wants to find out what it is exactly. Thanks in Advance.

 

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[CC Hunter]

The die stamped brass shield device shown at the beginning of this thread is quite unusual and attractive as well. Noting the high quality detail work in stamping this rolled sheet brass, is indicative of the work we may compare from the second and third quarters of the 19th Century. The eagle design is similar to what is seen in a few various militia items dating before the American Civil War. The perched eagle with down-turned neck displayed in the center of the shield item, is fairly close to the same style in detail as noted in the brass Tongue & Wreath buckle referenced from an online antiquities dealer. To my knowledge, this particular style of T&W buckle has not been reproduced in recent years nor copied that I have seen. The casting quality also appears more consistent with 19th Century, than more recent facsimiles of other buckles. So, I will venture to say it is rather unfounded to describe this particular buckle here as not authentic, unless there are some other details that we are not privy to. As Creskol kindly pointed out, this same design and style of buckle is also in fact listed in O'Donnell & Campbell's reference.


A Baldric device is a valid guess for this particular eagle motif shield item. However, as I recall, the "Baldric" devices will generally have two or more holes for attaching a chain suspension (in fact, I actually dug a couple of these devices many years ago). The single hole on this example in question above is quite unusual, as it is unpractical for secure attachment with only one hole, even in use as a hat emblem or plate (here again with this type of application we generally either see no holes, as there is a pin attachment on the back, or multiple holes). As mentioned earlier, a photo of the backside will be quite helpful in further identification. At this point I'm leaning towards shako or cap plate. A glance through J. Duncan Campbell & Michael J. O'Donnell's American Military Headgear Insignia may be beneficial in our search here.


CC Hunter

 

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[kuger]

I dont have any proof that it is not authentic other than my gut feeling which to be completly honest with you is likely wrong.I need to point out that although (and you know he does as well CC)Dew's stretches the truth on provenance,I have never known him to post un-authentic relics

 

[zaxfire69]

I believe my friend is out of the country right now. He is a Dr. and usually goes overseas to give medical care to the folks in other countries around this time. I saw him post a couple of pictures of him on a jet on Facebook. As soon as he gets back with me I will get you guys a picture of the back. You guys would die to hunt his property. I know I would love to. I haven't asked if I could detect his place, but I will. I think he and his wife own a White's detector and this was found using it. I haven't had item in my hand yet. He posted a picture of it on my facebook page and I told him I would try and help him find out what it was. I was thinking Hat Plate at first just by my knowledge, which is about as far as the internet will tell me...HA HA...I promise I will buy one of those O'Donnell books so I don't have to ask anymore questions. I appreciate all you guys expert opinions. I bet once we get a picture of the back we will know for sure. I am wondering if there are more holes that we just are not seeing. Could be filled with dirt that hasn't been cleaned out yet. All these old finds are hard to ID.

 

[zaxfire69]

Yes he is in Haiti now. Probably will be there for awhile. I'll keep you all updated.