Revolutionary war era belt plate??

[ME Ranger]

Hey everyone, im new to this forum, ive enjoyed looking through this site and seeing everyone's finds. I recently found this item in a field on my property...about a foot into the ground. Im quite sure it belongs to a Massachusetts artillery unit sometime around the revolutionary war, but so far ive been unable to date it! Any help in ID'ing this would be greatly appreciated!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Upgraded Night Vision Monocular Digital Infrared Monocular Telescope for 100% Darkness with 8X Zoom - Grab it through Amazon!

[kuger]

Wow!What a piece!!I am by far no expert but a shot of the back would help,it appears to me to have been a "Breast",Plate....or worn on a belt across the chest

 

[ME Ranger]

The plate measures 3.75 " long by 2.75" wide approx.

 

[Iron Patch]

Great find there.

I would have to think it's post war simply because my Rev War book has many examples of British and Loyalist plates, but basically nothing for the other side. So it's either post war, or insanely rare... and it's hard to be that lucky.

You can actually contact the person who wrote the book as he is always open to ID finds. Don Troiani chainshot@aol.com He's usually quick to answer so you might have an update soon.

 

[surf]

Hello ME Ranger,

Welcome to the TNet, and that is an awesome debut artifact. Thanks for showing us.

 

[HutSiteDigger]

When you zoom in @ the bottom of it there is wording on there.. Can you or anyone else make out what it say's? Neat find..

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Digger, it says "ARTILLERY". That's a great piece, I have no clue on the id though

 

[pong12211]

That is a great find.. Congrats on that one.. That will be a hard one to top for sure..

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Thanks Ken!!! Hmm.. I swore I seen something very similar design but without an eagle, before that had to do with the "War of 1812" Maybe if you or someone is got time you can search through some 1812 artifacts and maybe hit it. Just a assumption though, I have a book at another location filled with War of 1812 artifacts I will dig through it tomorrow if someone can't ID it by then.

 

[mangum]

Thanks Ken!!! Hmm.. I swore I seen something very similar design but without an eagle, before that had to do with the "War of 1812" Maybe if you or someone is got time you can search through some 1812 artifacts and maybe hit it. Just a assumption though, I have a book at another location filled with War of 1812 artifacts I will dig through it tomorrow if someone can't ID it by then.

I would say that it is War of 1812 era & definitely has the Massachusetts state seal on it. I found a few similar examples online but not an exact match. That is an AMAZING find! This could be a hat or belt plate. I'm no expert, just a good googler! Hopefully someone will chime in with an exact ID. Below are some examples I found that are very similar (some were from treasurenet)

 

[vpnavy]

Outstanding find ME Ranger!

 

[HutSiteDigger]

You nailed what I saw @ one time Mangum .. The Royal Artillery piece!!!!!! That is what I was trying soooo hard to remember. Thanks that is awesome!

 

[HutSiteDigger]

What other artifacts are you digging @ this same spot?

 

[ME Ranger]

No other artifacts of this age have been round around the site I dug the plate out of, but I have found a early 1800's LC elsewhere on the property. The house on the property dates back to around 1811, Ive been trying to find a connection between the original land owners and this plate!

 

[HutSiteDigger]

I was looking through some artifact books today too see if I could find this one but could not! I did come across Mass. helmet plates/cap plates but none with "artillery" on the bottom (would like to point out this is not a helmet or cap plate but probably like kuger said a shoulder belt plate) It is kind of hard too find War Of 1812 experts who may know what this is, the War of 1812 was no where near in size of the civil war (though 15,000 soldiers did die in war of 1812) and finding experts in War Of 1812 artifacts can be like pulling teeth! Of course you can easily find experts in Rev. and Civil War. If no one can 100% ID it for you I will print out the artifact and show someone I know who would be lot more knowledgeable than most in a few days and see if we can get a ID for you because it is sure is interesting plate. Good luck with it and if you find out anything let us know.

 

[CRUSADER]

Great find there.

I would have to think it's post war simply because my Rev War book has many examples of British and Loyalist plates, but basically nothing for the other side. So it's either post war, or insanely rare... and it's hard to be that lucky.

You can actually contact the person who wrote the book as he is always open to ID finds. Don Troiani chainshot@aol.com He's usually quick to answer so you might have an update soon.

To the OP, all you need to do is follow this advice. Don't forget to update this post, he response quickly.

 

[Iron Patch]

finding experts in War Of 1812 artifacts can be like pulling teeth!

How's this? Wish I could say they were mine.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Heh....Looks like you have a great find there, hope it is a rare one for you, I was just wondering if this is a belt plate, how did it attach, I can't see any lugs on the back, like I have seen on outhers. Once again great find

SS

 

[Iron Patch]

Heh....Looks like you have a great find there, hope it is a rare one for you, I was just wondering if this is a belt plate, how did it attach, I can't see any lugs on the back, like I have seen on outhers. Once again great find

SS

Yes a plate, just missing the attachments.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Yes a plate, just missing the attachments.

Thanks IP...I can just see now were they were, got to get some better specs