Bucks Militia Officer’s Gorget and Shoulder Belt Plate c.1780.

Superb and most rare examples of the officer’s gorget and shoulder belt plate. The gorget in copper gilt has lined decoration around the inside perimeters, centrally within a raised oval are the pierced Royal Arms pre 1801, at the base of the Arms, ‘Bucks’. The oval has a backing of rich blue vitreous enamel, this is secured at the reverse with a stout metal plate screw post and an eight-pointed star shaped nut. The oval shaped shoulder belt plate in heavy gauge gilt metal has a beaded rim, the central section pierced to display the Royal Arms (pre 1801, at the base of the Arms, ‘Bucks’. The motto, ‘Pro Aris Et Focis’. There is no provision for an enamel backing to the Royal Arms. The fasteners being one broad tang and a cross bar to facilitate access for the shoulder belt, a feature of some very early shoulder belt plates. The original fire gilt is 90%+ intact, very good condition (2) £5,000-£7,000

See article by A. F. Skelsey in the M.H.S. Bulletin, No. 119, February 1980.