This is a beautiful example of the regulation Civil War artillery bugler’s jacket in mint, unissued condition. These are pretty much the most visually appealing of Civil War regulation issue uniforms and have always been scarce. Even when original surplus uniforms still showed up in bundles of a hundred, old-timers recalled they would find but two in the bale, the right ratio, or maybe even a little generous, for the two buglers assigned to each battery.

This one retains vivid color to the blue wool body and worsted wool red trim. The configuration is the regulation arrangement of the mounted service jacket with the addition of the “grid-iron” front denoting the bugler or musician. All buttons and trim are in place: twelve small general service eagle buttons down the front, two on each side of the collar and two more on each cuff. Red worsted wool trim is sewn to the collar, lapel and waist, with two false button holes on either side of the collar, each given double rows. The cuffs are given an inverted chevron, and the back is trimmed with arcs from each shoulder to the waist and on the top and bottom of the two belt-support bolsters. The front is augmented with stripes crossing each button hole and ending at the red outline of a plastron front. All the buttons are present, though some have pulled thread and need to be re-sewn. All the trim is in place.

The body and sleeves are fully lined in white muslin. One upper sleeve lining has an ink-stamped “1” and a single dot, the common duplication of size markings in Civil War issue uniforms indicating a “size one” in the army’s standard sizing. A second number, “12” is stamped nearby, possibly the individual seamstress or, more likely, the inspector’s number. Both body and lining are in super condition. The only fault we see is a slight opening of the seam at the upper left arm, joining the sleeve to the body. No fabric is missing and this seems to be just threads breaking, which can be easily and invisibly fixed.

It would be near impossible to improve on the condition of this jacket and it would make an impressive addition to a uniform collection, Civil War artillery display, or one concentrating just on buglers. It would look great with a regulation bugle and correct saber belt. It is historically interesting and visually striking.  [sr] [ph:m]

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