VERY SCARCE ROUND-ENDED SHOULDER STRAPS: 1st LIEUTENANT OF STAFF

VERY SCARCE ROUND-ENDED SHOULDER STRAPS: 1st LIEUTENANT OF STAFF

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$750.00

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Item Code: 1299-22

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This is a very scarce pattern of Civil War officer’s shoulder straps, using rounded ends instead of the usual straight ends to create a rectangle. This pattern is pictured and discussed by Lanham in his recommended 1998 book “Straps: The Evolution of United States Army Shoulder Straps” on pages 62-63. He notes, “Little is known about why such a deviant strap was created,” which is a rather strong way of phrasing it in our opinion, but there are photographs of Civil War officers wearing them- see, for instance, the photo of a 32nd Ohio officer on p. 67 of the Military Collector and Historian, 39 (Summer 1987.)

Noted collector, dealer and historian Jim Frasca speculated they were intended to avoid snagging with shoulder belts, etc. Others have suggested they were hold-overs from early and less regulated shoulder straps when they first replaced epaulets, though the image of the 32nd Ohio officer wearing them had to date between November 1864 and July 1865. Others note they tend to be smaller than many rectangular straps and might be part of the trend toward subdued rank insignia in the field. Some have also suggested they would be more appropriate on an officer’s sack coat for field wear, with the rounded ends mirroring the often rounded cut of those coats, though we note the 32nd Ohio officer wears his on a regulation officer’s frock coat. In any case, they are a recognized, scarce variation.

These measure 3-/14” by 1-1/2” and are made with gold embroidered bullion borders and rank insignia- the single bars of a first lieutenant- with both the borders and bars edges with jaceron wire. The condition is excellent. The bullion embroidery is fully in place, with no missing strands, showing no oxidation or rubbing, though we note the jaceron wire has a softer tone, shading a bit toward silver and with a little thin verdigris showing in places, though not obtrusively. The bullion borders show a subtle use of dead and bright, groups of three strands bordered by single strands that show a bit brighter.

The field is black velvet, the color denoting staff service, though this could be as a regimental staff officer, such as the Adjutant, as well as someone on brigade, division or higher staff assignments, serving as aides, adjutants, or attached to departments like the Quartermaster or Ordnance Departments. We also note that Medical Staff often seem to have used black straps without the Old English “MS” lettering as well.

The underlay has been turned under and sewn down, leaving the backs open, as is usually the case with Civil War straps. Lanham illustrates a strap where it was not turned under and speculates that would avoid bunching on the rounded ends, but that is clearly not an established rule for officers choosing this pattern.

These have strong color, virtually no moth damage, and would likely fill a gap in most collections of Civil War insignia.  [sr][ph:L]

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