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I was on my way back from working a few days in Ottawa today and decided to stop for a quick 2hr hunt at a site where I've already had some success at finding War of 1812 relics!


I then got a solid 85 - 86 at 8" and thought ... "wow this must be big"


I will leave this to the experts here to help me I.D. exactly what this plate is. I can tell you that it's solid, heavy and still has some of the leather / felt on the back!
Thanks for looking,
Dave
Update
This piece is a Victorian Period (1837 - 1901) British Army Mounted Officer’s Breastplate/Martingale Badge
"This is a general service pattern, pre-1902 martingale badge, which seems to have featured a Guelphic crown, perhaps in association with Prince Albert. They were worn across the horse's chest. This would have been worn on the chest of the horse held by three straps, two on either side of its flanks from beneath the saddle with a third, central strap, running beneath the horses' chest to the girth strap. The strap originally attached the underside of the noseband to the girth, in order to keep the horse's head down. Either the badge or the leather pad on which it sits is in many cases heart shaped, reflecting that it (the badge) sits over the horses’ heart. There were also regimental versions and the crown changed with the sovereign, just as with cap badges and other insignia. Invariably martingale badges took the same 'garter' shape as that adopted as a template for Glengarry badges and, similarly, the centre often bore a unit motif."
Thanks again for your help on the I.D. Rick!

Here are a couple of pics of the piece after a light brushing with combination of beeswax & paraffin wax.

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Last edited:
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