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THE WONDERFUL UNIFORM GROUPING OF A RESPECTED UNION ARTILLERY OFFICER – CAPT. ORMAND NIMS, 2ND MASSACHUSETTS LIGHT ARTILLERY
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$15,000.00 ON HOLD
Quantity Available: 1
Item Code: 1268-548
Offered is the frock coat, pants, belt, boots and sash attributed to Captain Ormand F. Nims. The description will be under six individual headings: The boots. The frockcoat. The pants. The belt. The sash. And finally, the history of Nims and his battery.
THE BOOTS. Very fine quality and condition with scattered scuffing. They are "Wellington style" rising to 14 1/2 inches at the back and front. These have soft leather uppers with heavy, thick leather lowers. They are square toed. 5 inches of the interiors of the tops are lined with soft tan leather. There are 2 1/2-inch-wide cloth pull tabs in each boot. These have stitched soles and pegged heels. They show use on the soles and heals. The faded initials "O F N" are inked on all four pull tabs. A crude of "folksy" wooden boot jack comes with the grouping. On one of the boot soles is a typed paper tag with #34.
THE FROCKCOAT. This Civil War U.S. artillery officer's frock coat is a private purchase with a nine-button front, three-button cuffs, and four buttons on the rear waist. The inspiration for this jacket was a pattern adopted in 1858. The dark navy-blue frock has a single row of 9 (1 missing) eagle "A" officer quality buttons. The material used to tailor this frock is a wool broadcloth. The sleeves bulge to 8 inches at the elbow and are 5 inches at the functional 3 button cuff. The un-piped stand-up black velvet lined collar is 1 inch at the front and 1 1/2 inches high at the rear. The coat has a bottom that is raw cut or unbasted. There are 2 rear pockets lined in a brown colored polished cotton. The pocket flaps were originally decorated with 4 eagle A buttons of which 3 remain. The exterior of the frock is excellent with a few moth nips. The interior of the frock is fully lined with a quilted green polished cotton. There is 1 interior breast pocket on the left lined with polished brown cotton. The sleeves are fully lined in off-white polished cotton. There is an interior cloth belt with brass buckle that is designed to create a snug stylish fit at the waist. The condition of the lining is excellent showing minor wear. Sewn tightly to the shoulders are two excellent Smith's 1861 patent captain's epaulettes. The false embroidery all metal bullion border and inside pips surmount a vibrant red felt background. The coat shows moderate field wear and has few moth nips. Inside one sleeve on a small piece of paper is #34.
THE PANTS. The wool broadcloth trousers are dark blue with a narrow red 1/8-inch wool broadcloth cord running down and inset into center seam of both legs. Suspender, waistband, and fly buttons are tinned iron, and are all in place. The waist is fitted with six black japanned metal suspender buttons. The waist is tightened by a small adjusting belt with an iron frame buckle at the rear. This belt looks period but is made of a different fabric then the rest of the trousers and shows greater wear I propose it is not original but old. The waist is fastened by a single button on the waist band. The fly was fastened by 3 buttons all are present. The fly is lined with brown glazed cotton. Two instep boot strap bone buttons were once present inside each side of the cuffs but one remains on the left while the right retains both. The waist band is linen lined, which extends down about 2 inches. The pockets slits run at a 30% angle along the top. The pockets themselves are an unbleached heavier linen. The pants show little wear and no mothing. In the waist band of the pants is #34 typed on a piece of paper.
THE BELT. This is an officer’s regulation Model 1851 sword belt rig in excellent condition. The belt is constructed of folded leather over linen. There is double line stitching along the outer edges top and bottom. This belt leather measures approximately 40 inches in total length and is 1 1/2 inches high. The leather is smooth and supple with light wear. All stitching on the belt remains unbroken. There is one sliding belt loop. The belt is complete with one long and one shorter sword strap. These slide along the belt by means of leather loops. These are complete with brass hardware including snap hooks at the ends. Both straps remain complete and unbroken. The thin cast brass Model 1851 eagle buckle is heavily patinated and features high relief details on front. It has a wide 1-inch sheet brass tongue silver soldered the on back. The belt is complete with its brass keeper and has a brass wire adjustment buckle. The number “66” is stamped into the reverse of the keeper. There is no provision for an over-the-shoulder strap and the belt was made this way. On the leather tab that protects the uniform from buckle wear is a typed note that reads: PROPERTY OF E. GREENWOOD LOANED 07/07/23. This means July 7th, 1923, and refers to this being a museum or other institutional a loan from E. Greenwood? Additionally on the sliding belt loop is a typed #34 an inventory number one assumes.
THE SASH. The sash was worn by Nims over his frock coat and wrapped around the waist then looped or knotted on the left side. This officer’s leather sword belt was worn over this sash. The sash, a wool and silk blend, still exhibits a rich, vibrant red/ maroon color and is approximately 5” wide and 115 inches long including the tassels at the ends. The tassels are 9 ½ inches long themselves. The tassels exhibit some minor wear and discoloration while the sash has a few minor holes.
THE HISTORY. On April 19, 1861, the Second Massachusetts Battery was formed, an artillery battery to serve in the Union army. Recruiting headquarters were opened on the 20th of April at the Boston Light Artillery Armory under Captain Ormand. F. Nims and. By July, Nims was placed in command of the new battery and the Second Massachusetts Light Artillery became known as "Nims’ Battery". This was a 3-year "or the war" unit. The battery served near Baltimore and then moved to Vicksburg and the Gulf Coast where they did outstanding service. In 1865, by special enactment of the Senate, Nims received the titles of Brevet Major; Brevet Lieutenant Colonel and Brevet Colonel, "for gallant and meritorious service during the war.” Please click on this link for a detailed history of Nims and his battery (The Project Gutenberg eBook of History of the Second Massachusetts Battery (Nims' Battery) of Light Artillery, by Caroline Elizabeth Whitcomb)
This impressive grouping was owned by Mr. Ray Richey and displayed at his famous museum. [pe][ph:L]
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