STUNNING, ORIGINAL AND IDENTIFIED CIVIL WAR MOUNTED ARTILLERY UNIFORM - AUGUSTUS BRADBURY, 1ST MAINE MOUNTED LIGHT ARTILLERY

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$17,500.00 SOLD
Originally $18,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 433-05

This handsome and original Civil War uniform is truly one of the best and most complete identified groupings to become available on the collecting market today. Pictured in the recent Time-Life Book Echoes of Glory-The Union, this custom-tailored uniform ensemble was worn by Maine-native Augustus Bradbury during his war service. Featured in this fantastic grouping is the young soldier's kepi, his artillery uniform or shell jacket, his leather sword belt, and two photos of him in uniform.

Bradbury, from Fairfield, Maine, was a hearty, 22 year-old, 5 foot 7 inch tall lumberman when he enlisted in Augusta at Camp Corburn on December 30, 1863 as a sergeant in the 7th Battery, 1st Maine Mounted Light Artillery Regiment. For his efforts, Bradbury received an initial enlistment bounty of $60.00 and a three-year term of service in the Union Army. He participated with the 7th Battery in the bloody engagements at The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Ny River, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Reams Station and Poplar Springs Church, all in Virginia.

Bradbury's original uniform jacket, a.k.a. a shell jacket, is in simply outstanding condition. Made of dark indigo-blue cloth, the single-breasted blouse is custom fitted and features a tailor-made, low-cut, black velvet lined collar typical of some New England regiments. Also prevalent is the padded and quilted, dark blue inner lining, full-cut elbow sleeves and two non-standard belt loops sewn to the jacket's mid-side to help support a belted heavy artillery saber. Original bright red, ¼" wide piping or braiding, indicative of the artillery branch of service, adorns the jacket about the collar, down the 12-button center closure, along the jacket's entire bottom edge and on the two belt loops. The custom-made, thin red piping material is also used for the sergeant's chevrons on the each sleeve and decoration on each cuff. Original, regulation, cuff-size, brass 'Eagle A' shield buttons, made by the Attleboro, Massachusetts firm of Daniel Evans & Company compliment the jacket. Exhibited are twelve buttons sewn on the front closure, two sewn to the collar, one on each belt loop and two more on each sleeve cuff. All twenty buttons have acquired a pleasing, mellow bronze patina and are in excellent condition. Jacket body exhibits just a few small (1/16" to 1/8") moth nips overall.

Bradbury's unmarked, dark blue kepi is in absolute mint condition and features low-cut sides and a straight, square, leather visor, common in an enlisted man's headgear. Bottom of the visor brim exhibits undecipherable markings lightly carved on the surface. A glazed, black leather chinstrap in fine condition sports a small, brass adjusting buckle and is secured to the kepi with two brass 'Eagle shield' buttons. Pinned to the front of kepi is a 1¼" long, stamped brass pair of false-embroidered crossed cannon. Cloth is a stunning dark blue color with just two tiny moth nips along the back edge. Rest of cap is mint. Inside of kepi is lined with a crimson-colored, cotton cloth in very fine condition with the circular crown portion also covered and sewn. The 1¼" wide headband, made of fine, red Moroccan leather, shows evidence of use but is in tight, strong condition.

A high-grade, Model 1851 dragoon saber belt made of black bridle leather accompanies the outfit. The 1 5/8" wide leather sword belt features ends that are looped and sewn, not riveted and also exhibits two straight lines of light-colored stitching that run along the belt edges. The original, rectangular waist belt plate is a finely crafted specimen of the US regulation 1851 pattern. Constructed of gilt cast brass, the face of this highly detailed plate features a finely stippled background and an integral eagle with laurel wreath along with an applied broad brass tongue on the back. Plate face features the motif of a spread-winged eagle looking to his right with a shield on his breast, gripping an olive branch with its right talon and holding three arrows in the left. Overall wear is held to a minimum as the superb detailing exhibits sharp letters in the national motto and even the distinct, ribbed feathers in the wings. The brass plate has acquired a handsome rich bronze patina overall with just one mark of discoloration at top edge of left wing. No maker's mark or number is visible on back of plate or on the original brass keeper.

The two images of Bradbury consist of a CDV and a tintype. CDV shows Bradbury in this very uniform in a full standing position with his right forearm resting on a table while his left arm hangs by his side. Also visible on the table is the exact kepi that is included with this grouping. CDV has the back mark of "STARBIRD / Photographer, / (a few doors north of Stanley House,) / Augusta, Me." This CDV is the actual image as shown in the Time-Life Book referred to earlier in the description. Also at the reverse top of the CDV is a modern ID in pencil "Augustus Bradbury / 7th Maine Battery". The 6th plate size tintype shows a very sharp and clear wartime image of Bradbury wearing an extremely rare, four-button knit coat trimmed with light colored piping along the collar, center closure and cuffs. Image is framed with its original brass mat protector but is missing the hard case and glass.

Original, identified, museum-quality Civil War uniforms such as this are just about non-existent in the collecting market of today. But this wonderfully complete and exquisite uniform grouping of high-grade caliber and top-shelf provenance would prove to be a center attraction in any military cloth collection.

Accompanied by military records. Ex-Stamatelos collection

IF YOU WISH TO SEE THIS UNIFORM AT OUR SHOP, PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL FOR AN APPOINTMENT. THANK YOU.

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