Model 1851 U.S. Cavalry Sword Waist-Belt Plate.
Union regulations called for oval "US" plates to be used on most waist belts and on cartridge boxes, and for circular eagle plates to be used on shoulder belts. Union cavalrymen, however, used a rectangular eagle plate on the waist belt that held their sword.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.