Is This Eagle Breast Plate Legit?

[JohnOrtegae]

Wondering your opinions. Thank you!

 

[major bill]

Thank you for posting this. Sorry but I am no expert on this kind of item.

 

[Tailor Pete]

I'm in league with @major bill, no expert here either. I did notice, however, that there is a considerable amount of wear on the portions of the piece that is the most raised. If it isn't an original (again, I'm incapable of judging in this case) then it has seen A LOT of reenactment use.

Just my humble two-cents worth.

 

[UCVRelics]

Are the loops steel or iron? Here is a link that will help you in the future.

 

[Tailor Pete]

@ucvrelics I think it would be safe to say that this is a reproduction, based on this nugget of info. To me, the loops look to be steel. Still, when looking at the face, note high up on the Eagle's left wing (on the right as we look at it) that it appears to be worn all the way through to the lead. Certainly a sign of a well used piece.

Any other opinions?

 

[ikesdad]

The eagle's knuckles are also worn. Could it be brass plated ?

 

[Tailor Pete]

The eagle's knuckles are also worn. Could it be brass plated ?

Good eye! It looks to be a simple brass stamping backed in lead. This is how they were made 150+ years-ago, and how reproductions are still made. I'm pouring through my archives for a pic of a verified original. I will post anything I come up with.

 

[UCVRelics]

Yep, All the ones I have are ones I dug. @JohnOrtegae here is the link that will show you ALL of them.

http://www.relicman.com/plates/zLibraryPlate.400.Fed.Shoulder.htm

 

[Tailor Pete]

Here's an obverse and reverse shot of an original, un-dug breastplate from the Gettysburg Museum of History. According to them, it has been authenticated. So... like the @JohnOrtegae specimen, it appears to have loops, so clean, that I can't determine if they are iron or steel. They certainly share a number of similarities, however.

As for the differences in casting details, I have found a great many confirmed pieces that vary considerably. This is probably due to stamps used by different contract manufacturers.

 

[UCVRelics]

That's why I have always said the best way to make sure their original is, you guessed it "DIG Them Yourself"

 

[JohnOrtegae]

Thank you everybody! Well, I have been informed that the loops are steel. The only way I know to be able to tell the difference is with sparks. Is there any other way to test all the plates I have?

 

[ikesdad]

ALL of the plates ? You're a better man than me, Charlie Brown.

 

[UCVRelics]

ALL of the plates ? You're a better man than me, Charlie Brown.

Its a long story

Spark testing is the best way as they are to small and embedded in the lead for the sound test. Iron goes thump and steel goes ping.

 

[JohnOrtegae]

ALL of the plates ? You're a better man than me, Charlie Brown.

Ok, ok...not ALL but all. There are only about 40-50 plates. Not as long a story as @ucvrelics hints. I am in possession of a huge collection that I am selling for the inheritor. Everything from letters, currencies, art and books, to guns, swords, and, well, the plates in question. Some of the items are no brainers to me, like CDVs and ambrotypes of Generals, and everything ephemera, then there are the relics, that I know better than to not question and do some research before listing. Seeking help for the relics is how I came to this site, which I am grateful for all of the dialogue.

 

[ikesdad]

A very big task that you have before you.

 

[zburkett]

Steel sticks to a magnet. Brass doesn't. I'm a long way from being an expert but the feathers and leaves seems to lack detail. Look at the plate from the side, if the lead sticks up it is probably a reproduction, if it is thin it may be real.

 

[zburkett]

By the way, where are you?

 

[ikesdad]

Steel sticks to a magnet. Brass doesn't. I'm a long way from being an expert but the detail in the feathers and leaves seems to lack detail. Look at the plate from the side, if the lead sticks up it is probably a reproduction, if it is thin it may be real.

Could the lack of detail be from the wear on most all of the high spots ?

 

[zburkett]

Like I said, I'm a long ways from being an expert and without seeing it in real life I don't know.

 

[ikesdad]

Dittos here too. Just observing.