Excavated Clipped Corner Militia Shoulder Belt Plate

Circa 1830s - 1850s shoulder belt plate typical of those worn by militia units before and into the Civil War (see period image). The clipped corner plate is constructed of concaved rolled brass with beveled edges and on the back has the three remnants of solder where the wire hooks would have been attached.

Obviously, this plate was dug, but I have no history on any recovery site. You can see in the pictures where it is split and there was a repair that was done many years ago. Scratched into the back is the name “Hathaway”. It measures 2” x 3” and has been coated for preservation. It comes in a unique display case that appears homemade. The acrylic top snaps into the wooden body and it can be easily removed. An old, typed tag on the acrylic states “EARLY MILITIA CROSSBELT PLATE / NAME SCRATCHED ON BACK: HATHAWAY”.