This is a fine pair of Civil War, Smith’s-patent, Federal Army officer shoulder straps, sometimes referred to as shoulder boards.   The straps are in great original condition with no makers stamping and bear the recognizable ¼” wide stamped brass false embroidery border edges simulating dead and bright bullion of the Smith Patent shoulder strap. James S. Smith, a NYC military outfitter, patented his metallic shoulder strap in June 1861 and saw his straps widely sued during that time frame. 

These straps indicate a first lieutenant of Union infantry with a single brass grade device on each end of a dark blue field.   Straps exhibit a slight arch and each strap measures 4” long x 1¾” wide.    Both strap fields are in fine original condition with fields made of dark blue that show very light thinning in spots but no mothing or blemishes. Surrounding each field is a rich and pleasing, 1/4” wide, false embroidered border made of stamped brass. Borders all tight and strong. When viewed from the back, each strap bottom has a black underlayment material sewn directly to the backing material and show the brass pins of the border and rank devices bent back. Underlayment is in excellent condition. Missing from the underside of both straps is the long attaching cloth ties that were sewn directly onto the officer’s uniform coat.  

This is a very handsome pair of Civil War company-grade, infantry shoulder straps of a 1^st Lieutenant and would make a wonderful addition to any Civil War uniform collection.