WAIST-BELT PLATE, MAINE, C. 1821 _USNM 604123 (S-K 279). Figure 185._ [Illustration: FIGURE 185] This plate, struck in copper, contains the basic devices of the State of Maine seal enclosed by a curled ribbon border embellished with 5-pointed stars. The specimen is more square than rectangular, a characteristic of waist-belt plates of the early 1800's. It was probably worn by Maine Militia no later than the 1820's, possibly a few years earlier. The method of attachment also is indicative of this early period: the heavy vertical wire is brazed to one end of the reverse, and the L-shaped tongue to the other. This plate obviously was a stock pattern. WAIST-BELT PLATE, C. 1830 _USNM 60329-M (S-K 85). Figure 186._ [Illustration: FIGURE 186] This plate, cast in brass, is typical of the small plates, both round and rectangular, that were worn with light-weight, full-dress staff swords. It is an example of the early, hand-made, bench-assembled types. The outer ring carries the wreath typical of the period, while the inner ring carries the eagle with its head to the right, shield on breast, arrows in left talon, and olive branch in right talon. The whole lies within a ring of 13 5-pointed stars; the uppermost five stars are mixed with a sunburst rising from the eagle's wings. WAIST-BELT PLATE, C. 1821(?)-1830 _USNM 60466-M (S-K 222). Figure 187._ [Illustration: FIGURE 187] This brass, bench-assembled plate is similar to the Regular artillery belt plate of 1816 (fig. 56) in that the design on the inner ring is struck with a series of separate hand-held dies on a piece of blank round stock. The floral design on the belt attachments is cast. In many of the early bench-made plates, the final assemblyman marked the matching pairs so that they could readily be re-paired after buffing and plating. In this specimen, each ring bears the numeral XXVIII. WAIST-BELT PLATE, NEW YORK, C. 1830 _USNM 60467-M (S-K 223). Figure 188._ [Illustration: FIGURE 188] This plate, with the center ring struck in medium brass and the belt attachment cast, was worn by Militia of New York State, as indicated by the eagle-on-half-globe device taken from that state's seal. Of brass, it is assigned to the artillery. The quality of the belt to which it is attached and the ornateness of the plate itself indicate that it was made for an officer. The left-hand belt attachment is missing. WAIST-BELT PLATE, C. 1830 _USNM 60470-M (S-K 226). Figure 189._ [Illustration: FIGURE 189] This small, cast-brass plate is another example of the plates made for social or full-dress wear with the light-weight staff sword. The design on the inner ring is unusual in that the eagle, with upraised wings, is standing on the Federal shield. The plate is a bench-made product, with the inner and outer rings bearing the numeral VII. It was very probably a stock pattern for officers. WAIST-BELT PLATE, C. 1836 _USNM 60414-M (S-K 300). Figure 190._ [Illustration: FIGURE 190]