RARE CIVIL WAR COLOR-BEARER ARM PATCH

$1,500.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 490-7269

This is an extremely rare embroidered cloth and bullion patch for wear by a regimental color bearer, who was normally a sergeant, and would be worn in the angle of his sergeant’s chevrons. For a similar example still set in its chevron stripes and worn by a member of the 42nd Massachusetts, see Troiani’s Military and Historical Image Bank. The color-bearer was chosen by the Colonel and since a regimental flag was large, it required a soldier of some physical strength, and since it would serve also to guide an advance or rally a shaken line, while also the focus of enemy riflemen, it required someone of some moral strength and nerve as well.

This is in excellent condition with no moth damage, all the bullion embroidery and stitching in place and strong color to the red, white and blue, silver stars, gold pikes and cords, and beaded wire edging to the curling flags.

The color-sergeant would carry the national, stars-and-stripes, flag of the regiment. If an additional flag was carried another sergeant might do so, but the usual arrangement was for the colorguard to be formed of eight corporals. The insignia was not uniformly adopted.  Period photos also show the use of a star, sometimes mistaken for an ordnance-sergeant’s insignia. Corporals are occasionally photographed with a star and chevrons, pretty clearly indicating a member of a colorguard, but the crossed flags seem to have been reserved for sergeants, the occasional misidentified photograph of a member of the signal corps notwithstanding.  [sr][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire About RARE CIVIL WAR COLOR-BEARER ARM PATCH

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

A RARE SURVIVOR: EARLY-WAR CONFEDERATE MARKED BRITISH P53 ARTILLERY CARBINE #1500 WITH A TENNESSEE PROVENANCE

British artillery carbines were used by both Confederate cavalry and infantry: in October 1862 Jeb Stuart wanted to exchange rifles carried by some his troopers for “Enfield carbines (artillery) in the hands of our infantry.” This is one of just… (846-571). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

05
May

May 16 - 18: N-SSA Spring Nationals, Fort Shenandoah, Winchester, VA Learn More »

Instagram