This brass, oval cartridge-box plate, with its eagle on a panoply of arms and colors, closely matches in size the 1841 Regular cavalry's plates for carbine cartridge boxes and the infantry's waist belts. Although plates of this design were worn as waist-belt plates, the two looped-wire fasteners on the reverse of this specimen clearly indicate its use on a cartridge box. This was undoubtedly a stock pattern. An oil painting of Capt. George Bumm, Pennsylvania State Artillery, c. 1840, shows the subject wearing a waist-belt plate of this same design.[131] [Footnote 131: _Old Print Shop Folio_, p. 216.] CARTRIDGE-BOX PLATE, C. 1841 _USNM 60401-M (S-K 157). Figure 196._ [Illustration: FIGURE 196] Slightly smaller than the preceding specimen, this brass plate bears the eagle design popular from 1821 to 1851. Fitted with looped-wire fasteners, it would have been a stock pattern for cartridge boxes. CARTRIDGE-BOX PLATE, MAINE, C. 1850 _USNM 60354-M (S-K 606). Figure 197._ [Illustration: FIGURE 197] A frequently misidentified plate is this brass-struck, lead-filled oval with the raised letters "VMM" for Volunteer Maine Militia. It is also known in a smaller size. The reverse is fitted with the two looped-wire fasteners normal to such plates. Other prewar oval plates bearing raised letters are known for the Alabama Volunteer Corps (AVC), North Carolina (NC), South Carolina (SC), State of New York (SNY), and New Hampshire State Militia (NHSM). Many such plates recently have been reproduced for sale, and more probably will be made if a market is created. Thus, all plates of this general type should be cautiously considered. WAIST-BELT PLATE, DIE SAMPLE, C. 1840 _USNM 60354-M (S-K 110). Figure 198._ [Illustration: FIGURE 198] One of the more unusual forms of the militant eagle used on ornaments is shown on this brass die sample for a waist-belt plate. The eagle, with fierce mien and wings outspread, stands high on a craggy ledge. An example of an untold number of odd and unusual pieces of insignia, this specimen is unidentified as to unit or area of intended use. It may well have been designed for use as a stock pattern. WAIST-BELT PLATE, RIFLEMEN, C. 1840 _USNM 604103-M (S-K 259). Figure 199._ [Illustration: FIGURE 199] A stock pattern, this plate is struck in brass with the open-horn device of riflemen, which has been previously discussed. Wire fasteners are on the reverse. Although the outer ring of the plate is missing, it was probably decorated with a wreath, a common form in the 1830's and 1840's. WAIST-BELT PLATE, CHARLESTOWN ARTILLERY, C. 1840 _USNM 604385-M (S-K 532). Figure 200._ [Illustration: FIGURE 200] This 2-piece, brass-cast plate was worn by members of a Charlestown, Massachusetts, unit. The date "1786," as on nearly all dated pieces of insignia, refers to the date of original organization of the unit. The design of the plate is typical of early- to mid-Victorian taste.