Introduced in 1851 for mounted troops, brass shoulder scales were decorative, but were also meant to be a shoulder defense against saber cuts. In 1854/55 they became regulation for all branches of service and were supplied in three configurations: for privates, for sergeants, and for members of the non-commissioned staff: the regimental sergeant-major, etc. This is a pair of private’s scales, with the brass half-crescents (sergeants had top and bottom sections) and separate, but plain, scales along the shoulder strap portion (non-commissioned staff had the full crescent and visible rivets along the top.)

These are in good condition, with an undisturbed mellow patina to the brass. The iron strap on the underside shows some rust and was painted silver at some point to inhibit the corrosion. The spring straps are still in place. These are sheet brass and passed under a standing, flat brass bracket sewn to the outer shoulder of the coat. They were then compressed with the upper section and the two together passed over a turnbuckle sewn close to the collar to secure them in place. One of the turnbuckles remains with the set.

This is a basic Civil War uniform item that was issued to just about every Union soldier and probably despised by every soldier in turn, when called upon to polish them once again for dress parade.  [sr]

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