SCARCE SCHUYLER, HARTLEY AND GRAHAM INFANTRY CAPTAIN OVERCOAT CIRCLET/ SUBDUED RANK INSIGNIA

SCARCE SCHUYLER, HARTLEY AND GRAHAM INFANTRY CAPTAIN OVERCOAT CIRCLET/ SUBDUED RANK INSIGNIA

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$475.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1311-50

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Call 717-334-0347,
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These were marketed in the SH&G 1864 catalog among “Embroidered Ornaments” as No.  120 and described as, “Circlet for designating rank – worn on overcoat. Gold embroidery or gilt metal.” This is one of their “gilt metal” versions, clearly marked by the company “SHG” over “NY” on the reverse, made of two-piece die-stuck brass with false embroidered border and rank bars, and a blue painted ground indicating infantry. Although marketed for wear on an overcoat, they quickly found more general, practical and life-saving use on the battlefield.

Officers’ overcoats had been dark blue and used black cuff braid to indicate specific rank. The rank braid would have been difficult to distinguish at any distance, but the dark blue marked them out rather clearly and there was soon official acceptance of the use by officers of common enlisted sky-blue overcoats. These circlets then offered a discreet way of both indicating an officer and his rank to those close by. Period photography, however, indicates officers were also quick to grasp the advantage of using these circlets on field uniforms in general as subdued rank insignia, something officially sanctioned by the War Department only in November 1864, but officially recognized in the Army of the Cumberland as early as July 1863, and likely widely used without comment from an even earlier date.

This is in very good condition, the die-struck face imitating alternating groups of dead and bright bullion embroidery on the circular border and the two rank bars, indicating a Captain. There is some minor age toning, but no dings or cracks, the imitation dead and bright bullion is clear and the blue is good. The fastening pin and catch hook are in place on the reverse, which shows some a reddish stain and a few dark spots, but the “SHG” over “NY” in small letters under the hinge are distinct. Measures 1 3/4" in diameter.

We show both the Schuyler, Hartley and Graham catalog illustration and a photo of a Michigan lieutenant who discarded his shoulder straps in favor of a circlet as his rank insignia on his frock coat. (We can only assume he moved it further away from his heart when going into action.) This is a very scarce and hard-to-find piece of insignia.   [sr][ph:L]

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