The 1812 regulations prescribed for the light dragoons a "buff leather waist belt, white plate in front with eagle in relief," and there is the possibility that the light artillery had such. In actuality, there was no call for a waist belt where a shoulder belt was authorized. Neither civilian trousers nor the few surviving military "pantaloons" of the period are fitted with belt loops, trousers being held up either by suspenders or by being buttoned directly to the shirt or waistcoat. No example of the dragoon plate has been found. However, a rather tantalizing possibility exists--a fragment of a pewter belt plate (fig. 55) was excavated at Sackets Harbor, New York, where the light dragoons are known to have served. The 1816 regulations specified for artillerymen "waist belts of white leather two inches wide, yellow oval plate of the same width." It is not made clear, however, whether this belt and plate was for officers only or for all ranks. The unusually striking oval specimen (fig. 56) may be this plate, but its ornateness indicates that this particular design was for officers only. [Illustration: FIGURE 55.--Specimen in Campbell collection.] [Illustration: FIGURE 56.--Specimen in Campbell collection.] SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, 1790(?)-1812 _USNM 12804. Figure 57._ [Illustration: FIGURE 57] This plate was worn by Peter Gansevoort sometime during his military career, probably after 1790. Gansevoort, between 1775 and his death in 1812, was successively major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, and brigadier general of New York State Militia and brigadier general U.S. Army (1809-1812). Although distinctly Militia in design, the specimen is included here as an example of the wide variety of such devices worn by officers of the 1800-1821 period. This plate is octagonal, slightly convex, and has beveled edges. The design is hand engraved on copper, and the whole is gold plated. Within an engraved border is the eagle-on-half-globe device of New York State. Two studs and a hook soldered to the reverse are not believed to be original. SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, INFANTRY OFFICER, C. 1812 _USNM 604313 (S-K 469). Figure 58._ [Illustration: FIGURE 58] This rectangular, slightly convex plate of silver on copper has beveled edges and a small slot in the center for the attachment of an ornament. The ornament is missing, although it can be surmised that it was an eagle. The reverse is fitted with two studs and a hook and bears the hallmark of "W. Pinchin, Philad{a}." William Pinchin is listed in the Philadelphia directory for 1809 as a silversmith at 326 Sassafras Street. The 1810 directory lists only "Widow of," but another William Pinchin (probably the son) appears in the 1820's. WAIST-BELT PLATE, LIGHT ARTILLERY(?), 1814-1821 _USNM 60452-M (S-K 208). Figure 59._ [Illustration: FIGURE 59]