This pair of shoulder straps are the regulation pattern for First Lieutenants of Infantry in superb condition. The central velvet fields have no holes or wear to the nap and still have wonderful light blue color. The gilt jaceron wire borders, inside and out, and along the rank bars, are in place, secure, and show bright color. The bullion borders are bright as well and show very clearly the alternating strands of dead and bright bullion in bands of three around the borders and across the bars.

The reverse of the straps shows the characteristically Civil War open back construction, with the dark blue base fabric on which the straps were woven turned over at the edge and simply tacked down on the reverse, leaving the web backing visible. There are two tiny moth nips on the turned over edge fabric on the reverse, none on the face.

Civil War infantry companies had one First Lieutenant. Like the Captain and Second Lieutenant, he served in the line of battle and he was expected to supervise one half of the company in combat. The color of these straps is impressive and they would look great in either an officer’s display or a collection of embroidered insignia. There is perhaps some dust on the velvet, but no wear or oxidation to the gilt. You will have to look long and hard to find another set this nice. [sr]

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