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Eagle Plate - Stamped "E. GAYLORD"

Item: Eagle Plate - Stamped "E. GAYLORD"
Use: Federal. Eagle plates, also known as breast plates, shoulder belt plates, and cross belt plates, depicting a raised eagle clutching arrows in its right talon and an olive branch in its left. They were attached to the cross-belt sling that supported the soldier's cartridge box. They were primarily ornamental and proudly worn by Union soldiers with the belt slung over the shoulder and across the chest. See the additional images in this listing for an image showing its use. 
Construction: Stamped thin sheet brass with solder fill and iron wire loops.
Condition: Excellent, excavated. Its brass face, with its detailed eagle clutching arrows in its right talon and an olive branch in its left, has a brown patina with small areas of green. The rear solder is complete with a minor scratch near one loop. Both iron attachment loops are still present and nearly straight up. Visible on the rear is the military accoutrement contractor's stamp of "E. GAYLORD" with every letter fully visible. Also on the rear is an old piece of adhesive tape that was placed there and stamped presumably by the digger: "COLD HARBOR / 1954 / 6Th CORPS". The plate has no cracks, breaks, bends, or repairs. 
Recovered: 1954 Cold Harbor, VA 6Th Corps area.
Approximate diameter: 63 mm.
Reference: Similar examples of a "E. GAYLORD" stamped eagle plates can be found in the following relic reference books:

• "American Military Belt Plates" by Michael J. O'Donnell and J. Duncan Campbell, on page 290, Plate 463.
• "Field Guide to Excavated Federal Plates" by Daniel J. Peters on page 8.
• "Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795-1874", by Sydney C. Kerksis on page 518.

See above pages in the additional images.

Comments: Recovering an eagle plate of this quality today is a very rare occurrence, but digging one with a contractor's stamp is even rarer. According to O'Donnell and Campbell's buckle reference book, "American Military Belt Plates", "Gaylord specialized in cavalry equipment and made a limited quantity of infantry accoutrements." This stamped eagle plate will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War plate or general relic collection.

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Product Code:

PC5906

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Price:

$365.00

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