The Royal Regiment of Artillery, late Georgian Officers Shoulder Belt Plate

The Royal Regiment of Artillery, late Georgian Officers Shoulder Belt Plate worn circa 1833-1837. A reeded backplate with burnished edge, on this all in polished gilt, a Coat of Arms with the Hanoverian Escutcheon and Georgian Crown and a belt with Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense over a scroll Ubique, over a Muzzle Loading Canon over a scroll 'Quo Fas Et Gloria Decunt'. Parkyn No 52. In superb Condition. Price includes delivery within the UK. Additional charges apply for international shipping.    

This is a magnificent and rare piece of military history! A late Georgian Officers Shoulder Belt Plate for the Royal Regiment of Artillery, dating to approximately 1833-1837.

Key Details of the Plate

Regiment: The Royal Regiment of Artillery (RA).

Era: Late Georgian, specifically the reign of King William IV (which ended in 1837), as indicated by the presence of the Hanoverian Escutcheon (the central shield in the Coat of Arms).

Design: Polished gilt (gold-plated) with a reeded or textured backplate.

Mottos/Inscriptions:

"HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE" (Shame on him who thinks evil of it) - The motto of the Order of the Garter, surrounding the Coat of Arms.

"UBIQUE" (Everywhere) - The first motto of the Royal Artillery, granted in 1716.

"QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT" (Whither right and glory lead) - The second motto of the Royal Artillery, granted in 1833.

Insignia:

Royal Coat of Arms surmounted by the Georgian Crown.

A muzzle-loading cannon below the "UBIQUE" scroll.

Reference: Parkyn No. 52, which confirms its classification and rarity in collecting circles.

The reverse of the plate shows the fittings used to attach it to the officer's shoulder belt:

It features a series of copper or brass fittings including loops, hooks, and posts.

The long central piece and the two side fittings would have been used to secure the plate to the leather belt via corresponding holes or slots. The two large, rounded copper/brass pieces at the bottom are likely the heads of the securing posts.

This is a highly desirable collector's item, especially for items from the relatively short reign of William IV, which often mark transitional periods in uniform regulations.