Officer's shoulder belt plate, 63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment of Foot, 1833 (c)

This gilt officer's plate bears a laurel wreath the frosted numeral '63' below which is a frosted scroll with raised burnished edges bearing the battle honour 'Guadaloupe'. Above this, in the break of the wreath, is a monarchial crown below which is a frosted scroll with raised burnished border bearing the honour 'Martinique'.

Soldiers wore leather belts that went over the shoulders and across the body. These carried equipment such as cartridge boxes, bayonets or swords. Adjustable metal plates were used to secure the belts in place. Officers' plates usually had more elaborate engravings than the rank and files' simple brass plates.