Union Eagle Breast Plate Value Guide

The Model 1826 Union Eagle Breast Plate is a quintessential piece of American Civil War militaria, serving as a functional weight to secure an infantryman's cartridge box belt. Featuring the iconic Great Seal of the United States, these circular brass plates are highly sought after by relic hunters and historians for their direct connection to Union foot soldiers.

What Is Union Eagle Breast Plate Worth?

The typical price range for Union Eagle Breast Plate is $180 - $200 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the brass face, specifically the clarity of the eagle's feathers and the crispness of the Great Seal stamping.
• The presence and integrity of the original iron attachment loops on the lead-filled reverse side.
• Provenance and recovery location, as plates found at specific major battlefields can command higher collector interest.
• Overall structural integrity, ensuring the brass skin has not separated from the lead core due to ground action.

How to Identify Union Eagle Breast Plate?

• Verify the presence of a stamped brass face featuring the Great Seal of the United States eagle with a shield, olive branch, and arrows.
• Check the reverse side for a heavy lead solder filling, which was used to provide the necessary weight for the shoulder belt.
• Look for two iron wire loops or attachment points embedded in the lead backing, though these are often rusted or missing on dug examples.
• Examine the patina for authentic 'dug' characteristics, such as oxidation consistent with long-term burial in historical soil.

History of Union Eagle Breast Plate

Commonly referred to as a breast plate, this circular insignia was worn on the leather shoulder belt of the infantryman to provide weight and keep the cartridge box from sliding. It features the Great Seal of the United States and was a standard issue item for Union soldiers throughout the American Civil War. This specific example appears to be a 'dug' relic, recovered from a historical site.