This is a very good looking set of Civil War shoulder straps for a Major serving in a staff position. This could include a regimental surgeon, a post ranking as a Major, who elected not to use straps with the fully regulation “MS” in the middle, or an officer on duty with a general’s staff, at brigade, division, corps, army or department level, with majors more often appearing at the latter three levels. These straps fall into the “extra rich” category of shoulders straps sold by Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, and other military goods dealers, employing wider bullion borders or multiple rows of bullion, up to five for SH&G, of equal or different width, all depending on the taste and pocketbook of the buyer. These employ two rows of gilt bullion embroidery on a black field indicating staff, bordered inside and out with gilt jaceron wire. The rank insignia, the gold leaf indicating a major, are embroidered at each end.

The straps are in very good condition, showing some rubbing to the gilt on the high points that is expected from wear, with a narrow separation between bullion strands at one corner of each strap, a raised tip of the jaceron wire on the corner of one, and a little waviness or “springing” to it on part of the edge on the other. (Slight gaps in the bullion threads are common from the strap being bent and stressed when attached to the shoulder and the jaceron wire had a tendency to occasionally snag on something.) The color of the ground is very strong with little rubbing. The backs are typically open, with the base material turned under in attaching them to a coat, leaving the underlying web and the thread of the embroidery partially visible.

Embroidered bullion insignia, and their false-embroidered cousins, offer a good deal of variety and color in a display, a nice addition to their historical significance.    [sr] [ph:m/L]

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