P1780     Eagle sword waist plate, eagle with integral wreath, pattern 636.

Use of the rectangle sword waist plate was approved with the regulation of 1851 to be worn by officers carrying swords, and enlisted cavalry.  Most were manufactured 1850's through end of the Civil War.  The plate was made of cast brass, eagle and wreath are integral to the casting.  The eagle faces right, rays above the banner, 13 stars, eight above the banner, two left of the eagle's head and three to the right, nearly symmetrical shield bears stars and bars.  Buckle integral casting and very sharp, casting may have been followed with a die strike to sharpen the image.   The narrow thin tongue is brazed, and bent, intended to fasten to a separate brass keeper.   Wreath is integral but made to appear in three parts above and below the wing tips.  Plate is attributed to Evans & Hassel, Philadelphia, some examples are found bearing the makers name, this one is not marked.  These plates were available for officers through a catalog.  Plate is marked with "1" on the back and "P" on the keeper, these may have been pattern marks.  Nondug plate on belt with hangers, belt is flexible and whole.    Plate measures 50.9mm (45.3mm inside) x 83.3mm. 
Ref: O'Donnell & Campbell, Plate 637.       $1,000.