This original, Union cavalry uniform jacket referred to as a shell jacket is the finest specimen of its kind that The Horse Soldier has ever handled. Worn by countless Federal horse soldiers during the Civil War, this original garment is in truly minty condition.

Constructed of fine wool material dyed a deep indigo blue, the color of this jacket is still rich and vibrant. Cloth exhibits virtually no moth nips or holes so common in these wool garments. Jacket features a black-japanned hook and clasp standup collar approximately 2” tall with 3/8” wide, cavalry-yellow piping or braiding that decorates the edges. Collar is adorned with two, cuff size, eagle ‘shield’ brass buttons set back on each side and both buttons are offset by additional short strips of yellow braid. Collar braid is bright and tight with no fraying at all. Jacket front reflects the common brass button closure with twelve, original brass eagle ‘shield’ buttons securely sewn to the flap edge with original stitching. All brass uniform buttons are plain and not backmarked. Both sleeves exhibit chevron-style, yellow braid at the functional cuffs along with two brass eagle ‘shield’ buttons at each cuff. Yellow braiding runs down the jacket’s opposite (button hole) flap, circles around the entire bottom edge of the jacket and rises to each shoulder from the two, belt-rest pads sewn on the jacket backside. These belt-rest pads were reported to be good places to hide money if the cavalryman became a prisoner.

Interior body is lined with original coarse, gray-brown wool cloth that is in exceptionally fine condition with no tears or blemishes. Jacket sleeves are lined with white cotton or muslin material in super-fine condition. Found stamped on the upper inner sleeve of the right shoulder is an oval, three-line government inspector’s mark likely from the Cincinnati, Ohio arsenal. Stamping is in faded black ink and reads “___FHSH____/ U. / INSP. C.” In addition, two, black ‘sizing dots’ from the arsenal are stamped on the inner armpit area. Left side of jacket also boasts a single slash pocket. A seldom-seen pair of original, brass shoulder scale hooks are still tightly sewn atop each shoulder. Brass scales are missing and likely thrown away by the trooper.

The cavalry shell jacket proved a tough, light and very serviceable uniform garment worn by Yankee troopers during the war. Less expensive than the frock coats, these jackets were prescribed for issue to all mounted men in the Federal army. This mint, government-issue, Civil War cavalry uniform jacket is one of the best to surface in the collecting field that we have seen. Sure to enhance any very fine collection of period cloth as well as make a stunning display piece for the cavalry collector.

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