PAIR OF CIVIL WAR ENLISTED SHOULDER SCALES

$200.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 1117-228

Introduced in 1851 for mounted troops, brass shoulder scales were decorative, but were also meant to be a shoulder defense against saber cuts. In 1854/55 they became regulation for all branches of service and were supplied in three configurations: for privates, for sergeants, and for members of the non-commissioned staff: the regimental sergeant-major, etc. This is a pair of private’s scales, with the brass half-crescents (sergeants had top and bottom sections) and separate, but plain, scales along the shoulder strap portion (non-commissioned staff had the full crescent and visible rivets along the top.)

These are in very good condition, with a dark patina to the brass. The iron strap on the underside shows some rust and was painted silver at some point to inhibit the corrosion. The spring straps are still securely soldered in place on the underside. Both still retain the black oil cloth on underside, although on one the oil cloth has frayed edges.

Both are complete with separate flat brass brackets and turnbuckles that would have been sewn to the uniform.

This is a basic Civil War uniform item that was issued to just about every Union soldier and probably despised by every soldier in turn, when called upon to polish them once again for dress parade. [jet]  [ph:L]

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