25 Vintage USMC Copper 1807 Shako Plate Reproductions FORTITUDINE MARINES for Sale

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25 Vintage USMC Copper 1807 Shako Plate Reproductions FORTITUDINE MARINES For Sale

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25 Vintage USMC Copper 1807 Shako Plate Reproductions FORTITUDINE MARINES:
$95.00

25 US Marine Corps 1807 FORTITUDINE MARINES Replica Copper Shako Plates Nice All-Metal Copper Reproductions of a Very Historical Piece!

This lot consists of TWENTY-FIVE very nicely detailed, 3-3/4 x 4-⅝ inch FULL-SIZE embossed relief solid copper MARINES cap plates.

The cap plates appear to be perfect facsimiles of the only original we know to exist - and have seen in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. We have read that in 1807 the United States Marine Corps described a “hexagonal cap plate” in detail in its uniform regulations. For many years a rectangular sample of the plate was displayed at the Smithsonian without relating it to the 1807 “hexagonal cap plate”. In 1959 the hexagonal plate was finally documented when substantial portions of one were excavated at Fort Tomkins, New York. The excavated plate was identical to the Smithsonian sample, but with the corners clipped off so that the general form was an elongated, vertical hexagon. Experts doubt that any complete, authentic example of this plate exists in the prescribed hexagonal form, and if it did it would undoubtably be worth a great deal of money.

A picture of that shako plate or device can be found on page 3 of the Marine Corps Museum Technical Monograph NUMBER ONE, THE EAGLE, GLOBE AND ANCHOR 1868-1968 as published in 1971.

The fine detail of the original cap plate is also to be found on this replica - a massive eagle on an anchor and a cannon in front of draped flags. In the foreground there is a musket, a mortar, a drum, cannon balls, etc. In the eagle’s mouth is a ribbon bearing the original Marine Corps motto, FORTITUDINE. There are two very small holes in the upper and lower corners of each side (just as there were on the original) so that the plate could be sewed to the front of a shako.

We acquired these replica cap or shako plates many years ago when we purchased the contents of a warehouse in suburban Minneapolis. They have been misplaced in our own storage space here in the Black Hills for decades and only recently re-discovered.

This lot would be perfect for anyone outfitting a platoon of American Revolutionary War Marine re-enactors, or for anyone who wishes to resell them in smaller quantities. Very fine unused condition.

Have a look at other US Marine Corps collectibles in our store!

CONDITION: unused, undamaged condition, exactly as shown.

SHIPPING: this lot will be shipped in a sturdy mailer and we are happy to combine shipping of multiple items. We will refund overpayment of postage as soon as a combined order has been shipped.

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