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SCARCE AND IMPESSIVE SET OF CASED CIVIL WAR US ARMY SURGEON’S EPAULETS

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This is a great set of Medical Staff epaulets for the dress uniform of an army Surgeon. On the regimental level there was only one Surgeon, who would rank as a Major, though he would be aided by an Assistant Surgeon, and starting in 1862 by two Assistant Surgeons ranking as lieutenants, along with enlisted men such as a Hospital Steward and others assigned to nursing duties, stretcher teams, etc. This set is excellent condition, with the black, japanned tin carrying case having absorbed some wear and abuse, but the bullion showing bright on the straps, borders, coiled bullion tassels, etc, with no unraveling of the coils or pulled up sections of the jaceron wire edging. The bullion retains generally bright color overall, showing the use of alternating dead and bright bullion along the edges, etc. The outer and inner rows of tassels are all in place, the crimson leatherette and velvet undersides and backing of the shoulder fringe of the straps is in place and shows no holes or tears. The slotted brackets are in place on the undersides for attachment to the coat, marked appropriately “left” and “right.” The pushbutton release catch is there and uses a general staff button top.

As is correct, these each have an oval pad with embroidered bullion and jaceron wire borders set in the crescents of the shoulders bearing silver embroidered Old English letters “MS” for “Medical Staff,” in a gold embroidered wreath. The pad also shows a thin green tone indicating it bore the green branch of service color for medical staff. The silver embroidery of the letters has oxidized to a more muted tone, with some of the bright bullion showing in places. We see just one or two small, thin stains on the strap portions. As is correct for a Surgeon and a Major, the gold oakleaf has been omitted, since it would just blend in with the bullion of the strap, but 3-1/2” length and ½” diameter of the bullion fringe marks them as field-grade epaulets. As is also correct, the oval pads are secured in place by the use of pins, rather than sewing.

The carrying case shows numerous scrapes and scratches from transportation and storage, and the lid is now a very tight fit to the bottom, likely from the same banging around in surgeon’s baggage, but the case is original to the set and served its purpose by preserving them well. The small inner compartment on the bottom that would contain the fittings for the epaulets or other insignia belonging to the surgeon is present but lacks its hinged lid, though its red, cloth cover is there, as is the red velvet lining of the case, which is loose in places, but complete. The small carrying handle on the top of the case is there as is the latch, though the bracket it would fasten over is missing from the top front edge of the body of the case. The inside of the lid still shows lots of its bright tin coating.

This displays like gangbusters and would make an impressive pairing with a medical staff sword, surgeon’s green sash, or other Civil War medical related material, though of course it would also be a stand-out addition to a collection of officers’ embroidered insignia as well.  [SR][PH:L]

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