Pommel ornament? Saddle shield?

[dextersteve]

I'm posting this photo of what i believe is a pommel ornament (pre and during the civil war) or a saddle shield as they were called in later years (post civil war 1874-1904) vintage..This one has a script "FJ" with no letters or numbers on the back. Any help Identifying would be appreciated. Thanks, Steve

 

[Aarong81]

Here are a couple similar but the closest guess is a Saddle Shield. They were most likely replacements for the original saddle shield that had the saddle size info stamps on them. Sort of a saddle customizing. Probably initials of the owner, saddles and horses were highly regarded by their owners and stealing them was like stealing a car today but a lot worse.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm247/chasintail/shield2.jpg http://upload-pics.org/images/70320436309455347344.jpeg
SOURCE: http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=27887

 

[dextersteve]

Thanks Aaron--I'm thinking along the same lines. Script lettering was popular and added a taste of class or personalization to an owners saddle. Ok I guess Mg "Fitz John Porter as the owner. LOL I wish. Thanks for the other script saddle shields photos. Steve

 

[taz42o]

That is old english script and is a "J" , No "F"
I have seen many of those dug, some are different shape shields, Some are brass others are copper and those copper ones I think were likely plated at one time.
They seem to all have a curve or arch to them unless smashed flat.
But as far as I can remember I have seen no positive ID.

 

[dextersteve]

Thanks again taz for the info.This one is brass. I thought it was an F and a J. Live and learn. I was told by other people that this was not a saddle shield because the size wasn't there and they should be curved or arched also.

 

[taz42o]

I know this is an old post but I have found out what these monogram shields are.

 

[Aarong81]

awesome job, Taz! This has been unidentified on several forums, I'm sure your post will be referred to.