December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
Very nice red leather militia waistbelt with its very pretty square eagle plate still attached. The plate is O'Donnell and Campbell Plate 160, gilt rolled copper from a larger cap plate die with prominent star-of-stars over an eagle, with US shield, crossed cannon and flags. With this is a carbine or fusil bayonet in a plain leather scabbard and matching red leather bayonet frog with a small "(Eagle) / A" button. The bayonet is British style and stamped with a small diamond on the blade. The black leather cartridge box has a wood block bored out for 24 cartridges. The flap has an 8-pointed brass star affixed to it. CONDITION: Very good. Strong color to the belt and frog with just minor rubs. Bayonet scabbard lacks finish and shows crude seam restitching. Bayonet smooth metal, very good. Box with wear, scuffs and losses to finish. Small piece missing right edge of flap. Waist belt loops intact with loops and one remaining leather button for a shoulder belt as well. Plate dates 1818 or later, bright, with associations with light artillery, but even militia artillery companies frequently armed and drilled as infantry. The eagle-A button is likely a later addition. Set was associated with William Stephen Smith, a Revolutionary War officer, postwar politician and son-in-law of John Adams. Smith, however, died in 1816, leaving the possibility the set is associated with a member of the family, but a nice early American militia set ca. 1820.
Item Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 5"