1834 Infantry Cap Plate

Description

Die struck white metal with attaching loops on back.

When new army caps were announced in 1832, adjusted in 1833 and finally issued in 1834, both French and British influence was apparent in the design of the cylindrical headgear and ornamentation. On the shako, just below the plume or “pompon” was the standard 3″ eagle with the addition of the new infantry branch insignia, a crescent shaped “silver bugle”. It was in the form of a large open horn suspended from cords; an 18th century heraldic device representing light infantry and riflemen in the British army as of 1815. These 1834 pattern infantry horns were somewhat different from the imported versions and their British predecessors. The U.S. horn was suspended on heavy cords with a round looped trefoil shape at the top and four tassels draped and hanging where the cord is attached to the horn.