SMITH PATENT CAPTAIN OF INFANTRY SHOULDER STRAPS

SMITH PATENT CAPTAIN OF INFANTRY SHOULDER STRAPS

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$1,295.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 490-7379

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Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

A great looking set of Smith patent shoulder straps for a Captain of infantry, showing medium blue velvet centers with good color and surface, and muted, but strong gilt to the single row borders and rank bars that show distinct alternating groups of imitation dead and bright bullion embroidery. James S. Smith, a New York military goods dealer, patented this form of shoulder strap on June 18, 1861, using gilt brass frames stamped to imitate dead and bright embroidered bullion borders with jaceron wire edges that use pins on the back to secure a backing with the appropriate branch of service color. That center ground could be left blank for a second lieutenant or bear false-embroidered rank insignia for higher grades. These straps were less expensive, more robust, and not subject to snagging of the bullion strands or jaceron wire edging used on embroidered bullion straps. Smith especially noted the borders were easy to keep clean and bright by simple polishing.

The metal shows no bends or dents, just a couple of small age spots, and the alternating bands of dead and bright bullion on both the borders and rank bars clearly stand out. We see just a couple of pin-prick moth nips to fabric of one strap. The backs are very good as well, showing just one small moth nip on one strap and four or five, also small, on the other.

The use of essentially interchangeable parts enabled Smith to make these for all ranks and branches of service and at different grades of quality- with single or double rows of imitation embroidered bullion, etc. Civil War insignia is a colorful and varied collecting field. Smith patent insignia itself is an interesting sub-category of its own.

This is a nice set of original straps showing some actual use that display very well. They would look great next to a foot officer’s sword and regulation sash.  [sr][ph:L]

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