Figure 59
The design of this rectangular plate, struck in rather heavy brass, is the same as that offered as the 1814-pattern cap plate for the light artillery, although it is the product of a different and somewhat more crudely sunk die. The piece is dominated by an eagle with wings upraised, a shield on its breast, three arrows in its right talon, and an olive branch in its left talon. Crossed cannon are in the foreground, and there is a pile of six cannon balls in the lower right corner. The whole is superimposed on a trophy of colors and bayoneted muskets. Above is a 5-pointed "star of stars" made up of 20 5-pointed stars.
WAIST-BELT PLATE, OFFICER, ARTILLERY CORPS, 1814-1821
USNM 60448-M (S-K 204). Figure 60.
Figure 60
The rectangular plate is struck in brass on a die of the same design as that used in making the 1814 Artillery Corps cap plate, type I (p. 18). Before the strike was made, a piece of thin sheet iron, slightly narrower than the finished product, was applied to the reverse of the brass. After the strike, which shows through clearly on the iron, the ends of this applied metal were bent inward into tongues for attachments to the belt, and the remainder of the back was filled with pewter. The edges of the obverse were then beveled to finish the product. It seems very probable that plates such as this were produced for sale to officers.