Mildly Distressed Union Eagle Breast Plate

[Yak1366]

Well I guess it depends on your definition of distressed. When I found out what this was, I was more ticked off than anything. But I guess you get em as you get em...

So yesterday I dug this piece, that on first glance, looked like just a crumpled mason jar lid, or the like, when it was in the hole. I thought I saw some kind of design, but I resist cleaning anything in the field for fear of damaging a find.




So I get home, run it thru the ultrasonic cleaner, and a clutch of 3 arrows jumps out!




Researching this morning, I'm quite confident it's a Union Eagle Breast Plate. However, it took me a while to find a design match. The shapes of the Arrowheads, Shaft Feathers, Olive Branch Leaves, etc, seem to vary greatly from plate to plate.

This image found on this link, matches all the features mentioned above.
https://picclick.com/Civil-War-Eagle-Breast-Plate-Dug-Manassas-323399992002.html


I hope someone with the proper references can assist me in dating this Breast Plate version.

Thanks for looking, HH & Merry Xmas to all!!!

 

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[smokeythecat]

There is a guy who can restore it. If you want I'll see if I can find his name. Nice find, they are now hard to get in any condition.

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Rookster]

Great find.

 

[lairmo]

Cool!!!

 

[dirtlooter]

yeah, you gotta really be careful with some of that "trashy looking stuff." glad you caught it, awesome save

 

[UnderMiner]

This is going to take some careful work to unfold. I love artifacts that are still identifiable despite damage, and the historic significance is still the same even in this form

 

[Brendan75]

Hi, nice find. Congrats

 

[creskol]

Those are really neat finds. I think I would be tempted to display them 'as is' just for their uniqueness and curiosity properties!

 

[Trezurehunter]

Good thing you didnt pitch it ! Since I have never found one, I would take that one in a heart beat ! I still think its a great piece of history.

 

[civilman1]

I'm with Creskol on this,just leave "as is". Great save there Yak

 

[Yak1366]

Thanks Smokey for the contact info! And thank you all for the kind responses!

I will take some time and debate on what I'm going to do with it.

Can someone tell me what book I would need to properly identify & date this piece?

 

[A2coins]

I agree with everyone amazing relic whatever you decide it will be good Well done Happy Holidays

 

[Davers]

Thanks Smokey for the contact info! And thank you all for the kind responses!

I will take some time and debate on what I'm going to do with it.

Can someone tell me what book I would need to properly identify & date this piece?

I love that title.

A Book or any book by Steve Mullinamax , He is local (kinda) & forgive me if I misspelled his name .

I looked through my small library & found that I had a 'Repo' Plate book but it has pic's of originals 'only 1 of a Breast Plate'
'Said Cir 1840 ' I suppose the Union used this style before & through the War.

Have a good rainy day.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice find!

If you can, have it professionally restored!

 

[Jay Banta]

WOW!!!! That is a great find! Congrats on it!!!!

 

[bearbqd]

Wow, what happened to that poor thing? Cool find regardless though.