Dixie RelicsDixie RelicsO’Donnell and Campbell date the purchase of these plates by the state of Maine between 1855 and 1861 for the Volunteer Militia of Maine, organized in 1851, and which furnished ten regiments of infantry for U.S. service in 1861. The plates follow the US 1839 pattern and were made in the small size that was standard for U.S. infantry until about 1857 but retained by some states into 1862 and in the case of Maine nevertheless were accompanied by the larger size VMM cartridge box plate. See American Military Belt Plates, plates 556 to 559 for examples and variations. This is O&C Plate 556, made of rolled, stamped brass with a single snake-head stud and a fastening hook anchored by a lead fill on the reverse. The face has good edges, well defined letters, and shows a mix of dark and medium brown. There are just some minor surface losses to the lead fill on the reverse, which shows as gray and brownish white. The hooks are firmly in place.The buckle was never cleaned and still has the dirt on it after it was recovered. Excellent example.