NEW UPDATE! Fine Civil War 1st Infantry Officers Insignia Grouping

UP DATED INFORMATION ON THE 1851 BELT PLATE.

Fine Civil War 1st Infantry Officers Insignia Grouping, consisting of fine quality and conditioned insignia for an officer of a 1st Infantry Regiment. No identification, although originally came with a veteran’s medal with a name that turned out to have association to this group unfortunately.

The Hardee Hat eagle is sweet, and a bit smaller than the average, being 2 5/8 x 1 7/8 inches, bright gilt bullion with light toning, red beak, missing on mounting loop.  1st Infantry bullion horn with both mounting loops, some toning.  The 1st lieutenant’s shoulder straps are very fine with dark blue velvet ground, and single border straps, accented with bright gilt twisted wire, these were intended to be held on uniform with strings, one strap missing one of the straps.

The 1851 pattern eagle buckle and keeper, is a rare pattern featuring 6-pointed stars!  It show little wear, and have a great deal of the original gilt finish. Roman numerals used for bench marks.  This new development was brought to my attention by good friend to the site, Mark Kasal, who noticed the buckle right away (and I never noticed).  Mark did a great article on this 6-star pattern in the Company of Military Historians, Vol 73, No. 4, Winter of 2021.  In 1859 the Marines adopted not only the M1851 eagle belt plate, but also the M1850 Army pattern swords for both officers and NCOs. In his article, Charles Cureton (another great contributor), stated,  “the Marine Corps followed Army dress so closely that it was able to have certain items transferred from Army stocks without concern over any loss in uniformity with the Corps.”  Mark also mentioned that the rate in which these 6-pointed star belt plates are seen is an incredibly small amount compared to the normal 5-stars plates are encountered.  This plate can also be seen in O’Donnell & Campbell’s book, American Military Belt Plates, on page 391, plate 646, where the authors make mention of this plate being “Possible Marine Corps, circa 1865-1875.   Another item shown in Mark’s article are the 6-pointed stars seen on the uniform buttons.  Another great lesson here is to take the time to LOOK at your material closely. We try to be as accurate as we can in describing material, but many thanks go out to the truly knowledgable, and theirs and your communication with us is alway welcome.

Wish it had a name associated with these.