DOUBLE ROW MAJOR OF STAFF SHOULDER STRAPS

DOUBLE ROW MAJOR OF STAFF SHOULDER STRAPS

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$795.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1311-17

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Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

A very good pair of Civil War officer’s shoulder straps with gold oak leaves of a Major set on a black velvet ground indicating a staff appointment, likely at the brigade or higher level, (though often still in the field and under fire,) and which often show up worn by regimental Surgeons, who were part of the medical staff, ranked as majors and frequently did not bother with adding the silver “MS” in Old English letters that regulations specified on the black ground between the rank insignia. See Dammann, Vol. 2, page 46 (and elsewhere) for identified Surgeon’s (and also Assistant Surgeon’s) straps omitting the “MS.”

This pair uses two rows of gold bullion embroidery for the borders, putting them a cut above the standard, less expensive single-row versions. The rows are set with the bullion at opposing angles, creating a chevron effect. There are no loose strands to the borders or the oakleaves, and the bullion shows a pleasing gold color with some brighter gilt in recesses. The borders are edged inside and out with gilt jaceron wire, all pretty much in place though showing a few narrow gaps along the edges of the bullion where a thread might have snapped, but no stretching of the coils.

The base fabric is turned under along the edges and sewn down creating the open backs typical of Civil War shoulder straps. They are in very good condition, though clearly worn on a uniform, with the edges showing some compression from the folding up of the coat while in use or in storage. Please see our photographs.

Civil War embroidered insignia is a great combination of history and eye-appeal, with a lot variety for the collector, just as military goods dealers of the period did their best to present their officer customers with insignia ranging from the relatively plain to the elegant. See, for example, the 1864 Schuyler, Hartley and Graham catalog for a full seven pages of shoulder straps on offer.  [sr][ph:L]

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