Figure 53.—Specimen in Campbell collection.
Normally, brass or "yellow metal" plates were authorized for the artillery and silvered or "white metal" for the infantry and dragoons, as consonant with the rest of their trimmings. In actuality, however, white-metal shoulder-belt plates do not seem to have been issued to the infantry prior to 1814, and brass ones were still being issued in 1815.[85] Most of these plates were plain oval, although a few are known that were struck with devices similar to those on cap plates; and at least one rectangular cap plate, fitted with the two studs and hook on the reverse normal to shoulder-belt plates, has been found. It seems probable that these were officers' plates. Oval brass plates have been found that are identical in size and construction to the plain ones but with the letters "U.S." embossed on them; however, these are difficult to date.
Figure 54.—Portrait in collection of The Filson Club, Louisville, Kentucky.
It is extremely doubtful that waist-belt plates were issued to enlisted personnel of foot units during this period. In 1808 enlisted dragoons were authorized a waist-belt plate of tinned brass and, as far as known, perfectly plain.[86]
The 1812 regulations prescribed for the light dragoons a "buff leather waist belt, white plate in front with eagle in relief," and there is the possibility that the light artillery had such. In actuality, there was no call for a waist belt where a shoulder belt was authorized. Neither civilian trousers nor the few surviving military "pantaloons" of the period are fitted with belt loops, trousers being held up either by suspenders or by being buttoned directly to the shirt or waistcoat. No example of the dragoon plate has been found. However, a rather tantalizing possibility exists—a fragment of a pewter belt plate (fig. [55]) was excavated at Sackets Harbor, New York, where the light dragoons are known to have served. The 1816 regulations specified for artillerymen "waist belts of white leather two inches wide, yellow oval plate of the same width." It is not made clear, however, whether this belt and plate was for officers only or for all ranks. The unusually striking oval specimen (fig. [56]) may be this plate, but its ornateness indicates that this particular design was for officers only.