This is an excellent original non-excavated Civil War cartridge box plate with a clear maker's mark on the back. This is the plate that is the smaller size that is known to collectors as the U.S. model 1839 "baby" cartridge box plate. It would have gone on the outer flap of a Civil War soldier's cartridge box. It has wonderful looking "US" on the face and it has an excellent color to the brass patina. The back of the lead has the maker mark from the famous Civil War Maker "W.H. SMITH BROOKLYN" still visible. Smith was one of the many contractors that made buckles and plates for the U.S. government and one of the small handful that put their maker mark on the reverse. Both of the original iron attachment loops are present as is the lead on the back of the plate. This is an attractive displaying non-dug Civil War cartridge box plate with the maker mark as a bonus.