Part 9 (2/2)

_USNM 12804. Figure 57._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 57]

This plate was worn by Peter Gansevoort sometime during his military career, probably after 1790. Gansevoort, between 1775 and his death in 1812, was successively major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, and brigadier general of New York State Militia and brigadier general U.S.

Army (1809-1812). Although distinctly Militia in design, the specimen is included here as an example of the wide variety of such devices worn by officers of the 1800-1821 period.

This plate is octagonal, slightly convex, and has beveled edges. The design is hand engraved on copper, and the whole is gold plated.

Within an engraved border is the eagle-on-half-globe device of New York State. Two studs and a hook soldered to the reverse are not believed to be original.

SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, INFANTRY OFFICER, C. 1812

_USNM 604313 (S-K 469). Figure 58._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 58]

This rectangular, slightly convex plate of silver on copper has beveled edges and a small slot in the center for the attachment of an ornament. The ornament is missing, although it can be surmised that it was an eagle. The reverse is fitted with two studs and a hook and bears the hallmark of ”W. Pinchin, Philad{a}.” William Pinchin is listed in the Philadelphia directory for 1809 as a silversmith at 326 Sa.s.safras Street. The 1810 directory lists only ”Widow of,” but another William Pinchin (probably the son) appears in the 1820's.

WAIST-BELT PLATE, LIGHT ARTILLERY(?), 1814-1821

_USNM 60452-M (S-K 208). Figure 59._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 59]

The design of this rectangular plate, struck in rather heavy bra.s.s, is the same as that offered as the 1814-pattern cap plate for the light artillery, although it is the product of a different and somewhat more crudely sunk die. The piece is dominated by an eagle with wings upraised, a s.h.i.+eld on its breast, three arrows in its right talon, and an olive branch in its left talon. Crossed cannon are in the foreground, and there is a pile of six cannon b.a.l.l.s in the lower right corner. The whole is superimposed on a trophy of colors and bayoneted muskets. Above is a 5-pointed ”star of stars” made up of 20 5-pointed stars.

WAIST-BELT PLATE, OFFICER, ARTILLERY CORPS, 1814-1821

_USNM 60448-M (S-K 204). Figure 60._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 60]

The rectangular plate is struck in bra.s.s on a die of the same design as that used in making the 1814 Artillery Corps cap plate, type I (p.

18). Before the strike was made, a piece of thin sheet iron, slightly narrower than the finished product, was applied to the reverse of the bra.s.s. After the strike, which shows through clearly on the iron, the ends of this applied metal were bent inward into tongues for attachments to the belt, and the remainder of the back was filled with pewter. The edges of the obverse were then beveled to finish the product. It seems very probable that plates such as this were produced for sale to officers.

SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, OFFICER, ARTILLERY CORPS, 1814-1821

_USNM 60247 (S-K 5). Figure 61._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 61]

This is a companion piece to the Artillery Corps waist-belt plate described above. It was struck in bra.s.s from the die of the 1814 Artillery Corps cap plate, type I, again with a thin sheet of iron applied to the reverse before the strike. There is no pewter filling; the beveled edges of the piece together with the adhesive effect of the strike--which shows through very clearly--holds on the back. The plate is fitted with two simple bent-wire fasteners for attachment, indicating that it was intended for ornamental use only. Like its waist-belt plate counterpart, this specimen must be considered an officer's device.

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