Pieces of an Eagle W/Shield Brass thingy

[Don in SJ]

I detected two different sites today and ended up with artifacts from 3 different centuries. But at the first site where previously we have gotten mid 1600 French Liards to 20th century wheat pennies, I got the two pieces of metal that were together in the same hole but already broke apart. When I got home and looked at it closely I realized it is an Eagle with spread wings and it does have the US Shield on the breast.
Previously the only military items found at this location were two 1820's Naval buttons. Not sure if this is military or not, but since my son also found a watch key with Naval design, I am leaning towards this being a military artifact. But I have no clue as to what it was part of.

I did a thorough search of the immediate area and no more parts were to be found.

Don

 

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[PBK]

That looks like an unrolled/flattened top portion of a plume holder.

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[Don in SJ]

Thanks PBK, I thought perhaps it was a hat ornament of some type but was not sure, still looking for the era of use.

I see that comfyinvermont posted one in 2004, but no pics anymore on the post, his was determined post CW by Mark Parker.

Don

 

[PBK]

Fairly similar plume holders were in use as early as the 1830's-40's, but it's also true that they were still around in the Indian Wars period. Identifying the exact variety from a fragment could be tricky, although the style of the wing might be enough. From what I can see, it looks pretty close to one attributed as c. 1835-45 on p. 99 of Campbell & O'Donnell's American Military Headgear Insignia.

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

Awesome find Don! Great job on the ID PBK! What a great addition to you collectin, have you ever found one of these before Don?

 

[Felinepeachy]

OMG PBK you're almost a freak of nature. .......................and I don't mean that in a bad way.

 

[PBK]