Original British Early 19th Century Cross Belt Plate from the 72nd Highland Regiment of Foot Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. A Cross Belt plate was worn on the white buff belt slung across an Infantryman’s shoulder and chest, very often to carry his ammunition pouch. In the case of Officers, the Cross Belt plate was used to carry the Infantry Sword. The plate displays the Royal Crown over regimental designation 72, surrounded by laurel leaves, and the DUKE OF ALBANY’S OWN HIGHLANDERS on the top and bottom.

The plate measures just over 2 3/4″ X 3 3/4″ and is slightly curved and constructed of what appears to be silver. However the plate bears no apparent Hall Marks, so it is probably silver plated brass. Officer’s cross Belt plates were often made of Sterling Silver.

The 72ND REGIMENT OF FOOT was raised in 1778 as the SEAFORTH HIGHLAND REGIMENT. It served in the British Channel Island of JERSEY in May 1779 to repulse a French Invasion force. It moved on to British India in 1782 to take part in the Second Anglo-Mysore war of 1783. It took part in the Third Anglo-Mysore War of 1789 and partook in the Sieges/Battles of Bangalor 1791, Savdroog also in 1791, Seringpatam in 1792 and Pondicherry in 1793. It returned to England in 1798.

The regiment was renamed the 72nd (or Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot after Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany in December 1823. It served in the Crimean War in 1855 at the Battle of Sevastopol, the Indian Mutiny in 1857, The Ambela Campaign in 1863 and the Second Anglo-Afghan War of 1880.

Much traveled, very experienced, one of Britain’s best Scottish Regiments.