This brass plate with its wire-applied devices obviously belonged to an Irish-group Militia unit. The Huddy and Duval print of the Hibernia Greens of Philadelphia[137] definitely depicts an Irish harp on both the shoulder-belt plate and the cap plate, but the motto "ERIN GO BRAGH" is not included. The specimen would have been suitable for several Militia organizations, such as the Irish Jasper Greens of Savannah, Georgia, and the Montgomery Hibernia Greens. Its devices are wire-applied, and it possibly was a stock pattern. [Footnote 137: _U.S. Military Magazine_ (January 1840), pl. 27.] SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, C. 1840 _USNM 604340 (S-K 496). Figure 228._ [Illustration: FIGURE 228] This plain brass plate, having wire-applied pewter letters "S L I" is believed to have been worn by the Salem Light Infantry of Massachusetts. SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, NEW ENGLAND GUARDS, C. 1840 _USNM 604343-M (S-K 499). Figure 229._ [Illustration: FIGURE 229] Letters signifying the New England Guards are embossed on a shield of white metal that is attached to this brass plate, which has scalloped corners. Although the officer depicted in the Huddy and Duval print of the New England Guards[138] wears a waist belt rather than a shoulder belt for his sword, the soldier standing in the background is shown with crossed shoulder belts. Thus, this plate may have been an item of equipment for enlisted personnel rather than for officers. [Footnote 138: _U.S. Military Magazine_ (November 1839), pl. 21.] SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, MASSACHUSETTS, C. 1840 _USNM 604342-M (S-K 498). Figure 230._ [Illustration: FIGURE 230] Although the white-metal arm and sword on wreath device wired to this large brass plate immediately identifies the origin of the specimen as Massachusetts, the considerable heraldic license taken by this insignia-maker is only too evident. When the Massachusetts State seal was first adopted in 1780, the blazonry of the crest was given as follows: "On a Wreath a dexter Arm cloathed and ruffled proper, grasping a Broad Sword...."[139] The designer has placed the arm in armor and replaced the "broad sword" with a scimiter-like, edged weapon. The use of the crest of a state seal or coat of arms to indicate the state was common usage, with the eagle-on-half-globe of New York providing an excellent example. This plate would have been appropriate for wear by any Massachusetts unit, and is thus considered to have been a stock pattern. [Footnote 139: ZIEBER, pp. 143-144.] SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, SOUTH CAROLINA, C. 1840 _USNM 604454-M (S-K 601). Figure 231._ [Illustration: FIGURE 231] The silver palmetto tree identifies this as a South Carolina plate. The letters "L" and "A" are subject to several interpretations, the more probable being "Light Artillery." The devices are attached with simple wire fasteners, and the basic brass plate can be considered to have been a stock item adaptable to any number of units. SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, C. 1845