This wonderful Cavalry shell jacket came to us with a pair of mounted trousers, a sky-blue military vest and “pork-pie” style slouch hat with a cavalry hat cord. The group is from the well-known collection of the late James Stamatelos and can be seen on page 106 of  Echoes of Glory: Arms & Equipment of the Union. Upon inspection we found that only the trousers were marked in the waistband with the name “D. E. Taft.” A search of internet records shows only two soldiers with matching initials and last name. Both are Daniel E. Taft. One was in the 6th Vermont Infantry and the other in Battery K, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery. Not being able to make a solid ID we decided to sell the items separately.

This dark blue wool shell jacket is piped with yellow as is usually seen on Cavalry shell jackets however, instead of having two double rows of piping on each side of the collar there are two single rows. The piping has not faded but is the original dark yellow color and is firmly in place throughout the jacket. All buttons are present. There are eleven down the front, two on each side of the collar and two on each non-functioning cuff. All but one has plain backs. The one marked button is on the upper right side of the collar and is marked “EXTRA QUALITY.” Both sets of cuff buttons are infantry officers "I" buttons. Both pillows are present on back and in good condition. There does not appear to be any moth damage, loose piping or loose seams on the exterior.

The interior is lined with a wonderful clean plaid wool material while the sleeves are lined with white muslin. The muslin in the armpits has darkened some from wear and age but the seams where it meets the lining are tight. The lining has a breast pocket on the inside left edge. This pocket is deep and extends almost to the bottom edge of the jacket. The surface of the lining shows little signs of wear and is in excellent condition. There are no markings of any kind in the sleeves.

This is a fine example of a Union cavalry shell jacket from one of the premier collections in the country.

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