Pattern 1796 British Officers Gorget. Gilt Copper.110 mm x 95 mm. Typical U shape with rolled edge and holes at the upper corners for suspension. With fine engraving and nearly full remaining gilding, this is an exceptionally nice example of the final gorget design used by British forces before the gorgets use was abandoned in 1831. The leather liner on the back is almost entirely intact, and only light appropriate wear is seen at the extremities. The main design, with a crowned GR cypher, was instituted in 1796 to replace the earlier type displaying the British Royal Arms. Accompanied by an attractive desk mount bearing a plaque unfortunately misattributing this to the era of the American Revolution; while this was not made for two decades after the Declaration of Independence, this type would have been used during the Napoleonic conflicts and the War of 1812. Attractive and desirable.
