A very rare P1875 Marine Corps brass snare drum plate and EGA insignia.  Used from roughly 1875 to 1904.  It is often confused with the P1859 Civil War shako plate that it was patterned after.  This insignia was used on the front of the P1875 US Marine brass snare drum used by Marine Field Musics (drummers).  In 1875 the snare drum, for field use, was brass, in order for it to survive humid and shipboard environments where Marines commonly found themselves.  It was about 8" tall vice the massive 12"-16" wooden regulation drums. The insignia was generally attached with small pins to each corner, which makes this ensemble an unissued example.  This insignia is exceptionally rare and missing from most advanced Marine insignia collections.  The EGA is missing one of its correct loop backs, common as the solder on these insignia has become brittle.  This can be repaired with the correct materials, if desired.  

From my long standing private collection of Historical Marine Corps insignia, collected, selectively, for over 30 years that I have begun to let go.