Picked up some ex Bannerman stock.  Items were turned into plaques.  This one features a War of 1812 Dragoon Cap Plate alongside a later era cavalry crossed saber insignia  and what I believe are Indian War era dress helmet buttons.

 

Curious if anyone knows if Bannerman made reproductions or is this Dragoon plate original?  Also, any idea of the era of the crossed sabers insignia?

 

Thanks for any help.

hello,

I am by no means an expert on this subject.  However, from what I understand Bannerman was strictly surplus.  It was not meant so much to be in the collectibles business, but rather surplus.  Meaning he would outfit whole armies around the world, and if a collector wanted to buy something they could as well.

 

From what I understand, Stokes-Kirk bought a lot of dies and unfinished surplus pieces.  They in turn marketed to collectors and even made re-strikes.  This is my understanding. 

 

So, if your dragoon plate is really from Bannerman, I would assess it to be original.  

 

I also understand there are fakes of these now, like everything else.  So, I cannot comment on the die strike, etc.  But I have seen similar Bannerman-attributed put together plaques like yours before, so I would lean that it is a Bannerman, and if so, I would imagine the plate is an original.

 

Sorry if this is no help. cheers!

If you look at original old Bannerman catalogs they were much into this type of used militaria displays.  You are correct in where they obtained their stock.  I have a small framed Bannerman item that has 48 state seal military brass buttons (one for each state).  Their catalogs are great to look at.

illinigander 

Thanks for the help!

I can't say for sure on yours, but we have one from an old collection that I believe to be authentic.

 

https://militarycollectorshq.com/store-catalog/ols/products/war-of-1812-us-dragoon-front-plate-item-8391

W. Stokes Kirk did make "restamps" of many insignias.  Currently S & S Firearms has good repros of this plate for sale on their website..   

S& S bough out thr remaining Bannerman stock in the 1960's or 70's, when Hogan sold out.  I have the 1938 catalog and the 1964 price list and nothing like this shows up.