A fine South Carolina state belt breast plate and buckle. Items include:

1. Rectangular South Carolina "Panel" plate. Die-stamped brass. Soldered brass belt hook, lacking soldered bar belt loop with two tongues. 3 1/8 x 2 1/2 in. Gavin 130; Kerksis 388-393; Mullinax 339-341

An 1840s-style South Carolina plate featuring the Palmetto emblem and an ornate foliate border. With a similar die as the shoulder plates (see #2), they were possibly from the same manufacturer and were almost certainly worn together as a set. 

2. South Carolina breast plate, Type 1. Die-stamped brass face, lead-filled, brass pin. Diam. 2 1/2 in. Gavin 129; Kerksis 410; Mullinax 357.

A fine example of the well-cast pre-war shoulder plate featuring the South Carolina palmetto Nullification device. Kerksis places their production circa 1834. At least two die types are identified. This example (labeled Type 1 by Mullinax) exhibits a thicker base and a larger date.

Several examples exhibit various fasteners to the reverses, revealing their varied use on cartridge boxes, waist belts, and shoulder belts. This example has remnants of a pin & hook fastener, indicating it was intended for use with a cotton web shoulder belt. (c.f. Kerksis 406-410; Mullinax 355-361. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate]  [Relics, Militaria, Accouterment, Equipment, Uniforms]