American Military Insignia 1800-1851 Part 30

_USNM 60480-M (S-K 236). Figure 246._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 246]

Just prior to 1850 there were two Militia units in Philadelphia using the letters "P G" to indicate organizational designation--the Philadelphia Guards and the Philadelphia City Greys. This bra.s.s-cast plate is believed to have been worn by the Philadelphia Guards, whose b.u.t.tons were marked "P G." The b.u.t.tons worn by the Philadelphia City Greys carried the three letters "P C G."[143]

[Footnote 143: JOHNSON, vol. 1, p. 145, vol. 2, pl. 63.]

WAIST-BELT PLATE, PROVIDENCE MARINE CORPS ARTILLERY C. 1850

_USNM 604147-M (S-K 303). Figure 247._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 247]

The letters and device on this rather unusual bra.s.s plate make its identification easy. The letters stand for the Providence [R.I.]

Marine Corps Artillery; the date 1801 is the unit's original organization date. The crossed cannon indicate Militia artillery. The letters and numerals are of white metal and brazed to the plate. The bra.s.s crossed cannon are affixed with wire fasteners. The reverse is fitted with a broad tongue and two wire hooks for attachment.

WAIST-BELT PLATE, SOUTH CAROLINA, C. 1850

_USNM 604455-M (S-K 602). Figure 248._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 248]

Although this specimen is not so old as the similar South Carolina plate described previously (fig. 162), it is believed to date about 1850. The plate proper is of rolled bra.s.s, and the applied device, which comprises well-known elements of the arms of South Carolina, is struck in bra.s.s and attached by means of two wire staples and leather thongs.

WAIST-BELT PLATE, VIRGINIA, C. 1850

_USNM 604253-M (S-K 409). Figure 249._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 249]

This plate, carrying the Virginia seal, was made about 1850 for wear by officers. Similar plates made by British manufacturers during the Civil War to be run through the blockade are generally distinguishable by their unusually sharp, clean die work. The center device of this specimen is struck in bra.s.s and brazed in place; the remainder of the plate is bra.s.s-cast.

WAIST-BELT PLATE, GRAY GUARDS, C. 1850

_USNM 60489-M (S-K 245). Figure 250._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 250]

The unit for which this plate was made cannot be precisely identified.

It is reasonable to a.s.sume that there were several Militia organizations called "Gray Guards." The central "G" probably indicates "Company G." The whole is cast bra.s.s.

WAIST-BELT PLATE, C. 1850

_USNM 60490-M (S-K 246). Figure 251._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 251]

This plain bra.s.s plate of unusually fine manufacture is very definitely a stock pattern which could have been sold without ornament or, as was more likely, with a center device added by soldering or brazing. The plate was cast in three pieces, with the round center brazed to the belt attachment. It was bench-fitted, as indicated by the numbers on the reverse of the inner and outer rings.

WASTE-BELT PLATE, C. 1850

_USNM 60498-M (S-K 254). Figure 252._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 252]

This is a typical stock pattern with the company designation "E."

Other specimens in the national collections have the letters "D," "F,"

"K," and "R." Although rather crudely cast in bra.s.s, this piece has been bench-fitted and then gilded.

WAIST-BELT PLATE, C. 1850

_USNM 60492-M (S-K 248). Figure 253._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 253]

This is another stock pattern with company designation. In this case, the numeral "1" has been applied with wire fasteners rather than cast integrally with the two portions of the plate. The national collections also contain similar plates with the numerals "2," "26,"

and "36."

WAIST-BELT PLATE, C. 1850

_USNM 60468-M (S-K 224). Figure 254._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 254]

This is another typical stock pattern with the eagle-on-s.h.i.+eld device surrounded by 13 5-pointed stars as the center ornament. It is cast in bra.s.s in two pieces. An example of this plate, on a belt, formed part of a cased Sharps rifle outfit displayed at the 1960 National Rifle a.s.sociation meeting in Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.

WAIST-BELT PLATE, MUSICIAN, C. 1850

_USNM 60499-M (S-K 255). Figure 255._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 255]

The musician's lyre has never been strictly a military ornament, being widely worn by civilian bands; thus, this plate cannot precisely be identified as military or nonmilitary. Unlike most plates of this type and period, the entire piece is struck in bra.s.s rather than cast.

WAIST-BELT PLATE, C. 1850

_USNM 60485-M (S-K 241). Figure 256._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 256]