ANTEBELLUM/CONFEDERATE VIRGINIA CAVALRY TROOPER"S JACKET

ANTEBELLUM/CONFEDERATE VIRGINIA CAVALRY TROOPER

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$15,000.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1268-365

This is a really great looking cavalry shell jacket. It was probably made just prior to the war and later modified as the war progressed.

This short jacket is made of dark gray wool broadcloth. It is triple breasted but with only the center row of 11 buttons being functional. The right and left rows of 11 buttons respectively, like the center row, are all large Virginia state seals which are back marked "SCOVILL MF'G WATERBURY". The front of the uniform is decorated with simple "frogging" in 11 double lines of black silk/wool in a "Heering Bone" weave. These vary in length from 2 inches to 7 inches. The stand-up collar is 2 inches high and is decorated with ribbons of black "Herring Bone" weave. It closes by means of 3 metal hooks and eyes. Black was often used rather than yellow in the South prior to and during the war to designate cavalry. The sleeves billow to 7 inches at the elbow and the cuffs are 5 inches across. When originally tailored the cuffs were functional opening and closing with 2 hooks and eyes. The cuff front is decorative black cotton vertical scalloped flap which certainly bore cuff sized Virginia buttons, but it has had the buttons removed and a full wrap around chevron front cuff of black cotton has been partially superimposed over it. This was certainly done later in the war to give the jacket the "au current" martial look. On the shoulders are provisions for the large brass enlisted man's protective epaulettes. There is a metal eye and a 3 inch by 1/2-inch gray wool loop which is faced with yellow (faded to off-white) wool. The interior of the jacket is in partly lined with black (now oxidized to brown) polished cotton. There are no provisions made for pockets. This begs the question, was this jacket originally "tailed" with pockets in the tails? The way it is pieced at the back rear bottom says yes it was re-tailored. When this jacket was enlisted for the Civil War, the tails were soon removed and the cuffs altered.

The condition of this jacket is excellent, showing moderate wear with a couple of open seams and scattered insect damage. The right cotton sleeve lining is mostly gone while the left is intact. There is wear and tear to 20% of the black cotton lining. This jacket was probably in the field at the time of First Manassas and going forward. How long into the war could this have been worn? Remember the cavalry tended to favor gaudier uniforms even as the war dragged on. I refer you to the elaborate jackets of the 3rd New Jersey Cavalry formed in late 1863 with their fronts festooned with the decorative Hungarian Knots.

This really fine jacket was prominently on display in the Texas Civil War Museum for years.   [pe][ph:L]

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