Description
This plate is one of the 1,000 ordered by the State of Virginia in 1860 from Emerson Gaylord of Chicopee, Massachusetts, for their militia forces. At some point in time, the original Gaylord belt rig was removed and replaced with a standard infantry type belt–absolutely authentic and used in the field just like it exists today! More than likely, it was used by infantry rather than cavalry so there was no use for the sword hangers present on the Gaylord rigs–plus, this belt is far more durable than the thin patent leather used on them when manufactured.
This set surfaced in the estate of a relative of Robert McCauley, the well known sword collector from Maryland. It is unknown if it was used by the member of the family or was just added to the militaria collection that was dissolved in the early 1970s.
If you want an original Civil War Virginia belt rig that most certainly was around from 1861 to 1865, here ya go! It is supple and flexible but I decided to leave it as-found, tied with an old string!
