December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
Die-struck, oval brass plate, 2 5/8 s 2 inches, with hook and two studs on reverse; bearing a fouled anchor device upon its face, within a banded border. Standard issue plate for the British Corps of Marines, later Royal Marines (1802) and in use from the early 1790s through the 1810s. This example was found on an encampment site of the 2nd Battalion of Royal Marines in North America, along with the bowl from a clay pipe, on which is impressed a praying slave on one side and the figure of Brittania on the other, both derived from an illustration on a British anti-slavery broadside of the era. A 3rd Battalion of Royal and Colonial (Black) Marines was established at Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay during the 1814 campaign, consisting of three companies drawn from the 2nd Battalion and three new companies formed of runaway slaves from Virginia and Maryland, and commanded by former Royal Marine sergeants, now promoted to commissioned officer grade. PROVENANCE: Purchased from Mark Fraterrigo in 2005. CONDITION: The belt plate with a very nice, blue-green patina, but part of its hook broken off (but still with the plate); the pipe bowl very good, as found.