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Eagle Plate - Stamped "J. I. Pittman"

Item: Eagle Plate - Stamped "J. I. PITTMAN" and "T. DOYLE"
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 slightly worn eagle clutching arrows in its right talon and an olive branch in its left, has an army greenish-brown patina. The rear solder is complete with a very minor surface flaking near the rim. Both iron attachment loops are present, complete, rusty, fragile, and nearly straight up. Visible on the rear is the military accoutrement contractor's stamp of "J. I. PITTMAN" with nearly every letter visible. Also found carved on the rear in period lettering is "T. DOYLE", likely identifying it to the soldier who it was issued to. In addition to this there appears to be either script lettering or a drawing below the name as indicated in the additional images. The plate has no cracks, breaks, bends, or repairs. 
Recovered: Stafford County, VA area.
Approximate diameter: 64 mm.
Reference: Similar examples of a "J. I. PITTMAN" stamped eagle plates can be found in the following relic reference books:

• "Civil War Artifacts" by Howard Crouch on page 189, item 3.
• "Field Guide to Excavated Federal Plates" by Daniel J. Peters on page 9.

(Note: It appears that the same example was pictured in both reference books initially published 17 years apart with Peters publishing first)

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. Plates stamped "PITTMAN" are particularly difficult to recover and this one, not only being a quality example, is also personalized. It will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War plate or general relic collection.

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Product Code:

PC8027

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Price:

$450.00

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