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MODEL 1881 ENLISTED MAN’S DRESS HELMET EAGLE PLATE
AND SIDE BUTTONS – HOSPITAL STEWARD: As issued
to the Indian War Hospital Stewards for wear on their
Model 1881 Enlisted Man’s Dress Helmet, this is very
nice, complete set of insignia consisting of the
correct Staff Plate with the applied German silver
caduceus and the two matching side buttons, both bearing
the caduceus insignia. One of the more difficult plates
to find, the Staff Plate did not have the integral
crossed sabres, rifles or cannons as on the Cavalry,
Infantry or Artillery Plates. The Staff Plate was
issued to enlisted men in the Commissary, Medical,
Ordnance, Quartermaster, Signal and other staff
departments, to which the solider affixed the
appropriate German silver device to indicate his
specialty.
In
very good condition with much of the bright gilt finish
remaining, this plate is full form with no damage and
the caduceus is likewise in excellent condition. The
plate is missing the three attaching wires which were
soldered on the reverse, but this is a simple
restoration should you prefer to do so. Both of the
side buttons have the two brass tabs intact and buttons
are full form with a nice even finish.
Due to the relatively low number of Hospital Stewards in
service during the Indian War era, this is a relatively
rare set, particularly with all three of these unique
pieces of insignia intact as a grouping.
SOLD
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