Georgian Officer’s Shoulder Belt Plate – Royal Dublin Light Dragoons – 1796

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Ascarce and highly desirable Georgian officer’s shoulder belt plate, dated1796, from theRoyal Dublin Light Dragoons, a short-lived Irish cavalry regiment raised in the late 18th century.

This finely engraved oval plate is of silvered or gilt copper, now naturally toned with age, and bears the crowned“GR” cypher of King George III. The regimental designation appears in scrolling banners reading:

ROYAL DUBLIN LT. DRAGOONS

with“1st TRP” (1st Troop)and the date1796engraved below.

The plate was worn on the officer’s leather crossbelt, serving both as regimental insignia and a mark of rank. Notably, this exampleretains its original shaped leather backing, complete with correct hook and twin rear studs — a feature rarely encountered on surviving shoulder belt plates of this period.

• A genuineGeorgian-period officer’s belt plate, not a later copy or re-worked example.

• Hand-engraved decoration consistent with late 18th-century officer manufacture.

• Plate, engraving, and leather backing are consistent in age and wear, withno evidence of later marriage or restoration.

Very good condition for its age.

• Plate retains an attractive, even patina with minor age-related spotting.

• All inscriptions remain crisp and clearly legible.

• Leather backing remains firm and complete, retaining original fittings.

• No repairs, damage, or modern cleaning — an honest, well-preserved example.

TheRoyal Dublin Light Dragoonswere raised in the 1790s during a period of significant unrest and military mobilisation in Ireland. Officer accoutrements from the regiment are notably scarce due to its relatively short existence and limited establishment.

This belt plate originates from the collection of the lateMichael Appleby, a respected British collector of militaria. Significant portions of the Appleby collection have been dispersed through major international sales in recent years, reflecting the calibre and seriousness of the collection as a whole. Its inclusion within this collection provides an additional layer of collector provenance.

Officer’s shoulder belt plates fromIrish light dragoon regiments, particularly examples retaining original leather backings, are uncommon.

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