Brass British Hat Plate

This hat plate fragment is from a “Belgic” shako, first issued to British troops in 1811. This equipment did not arrive at Mackinac until the autumn of 1813. This style of hat was worn by men from the 1st Regiment of Foot, Michigan Fencibles, Royal Newfoundland Fencible Infantry and Corps of Royal Engineers, all stationed at Fort Mackinac during the waning months of the War of 1812.