These trousers are in excellent condition with strong color, solid fabric and virtually no moth damage. They bear a couple of markings on the inside. One is that of the somewhat legendary Chrisdie’s costume company, a New York City theatrical costume rental company in the early twentieth century. They are well known among Civil War collectors as the source for many mint condition uniforms (shell jackets and overcoats in particular,) and some equipment, which they had bought as surplus as a cost-effective means of supplying Civil War or just military themed theatrical productions. As theatrical demand dropped off, collector interest picked up and in the 1960s and early 1970s costume companies became a treasure trove for collectors and dealers. Pieces drifted out of Chrisdies with their business cards in them. Norm Flayderman got word of it and cleaned them out. We also see another stamp, likely a Chrisdie’s inventory stamp, showing a stock number, size, etc., all to make the rental process run more smoothly.

These are not maker marked, but by style would date to the 1880s-1890s, with the color making them acceptable in Civil War themed productions, and also making them seem earlier than we think they are to early collectors. They are made of a regulation sky blue kersey type material, but better quality we think than seen in Civil War contract trousers, and are made without belt loops, but with button for suspenders on the waistband. Those buttons, along with five fastening the fly are black enameled metallic buttons, with a single slightly larger hard rubber or composite button, that might be a replacement fastening the front on the waist band. There are six suspender buttons. The back of the waistband in notched for adjustment by a cloth belt sewn to either side and fitted with a metal frame buckle. There are two pockets, opening along the side seams of the legs. There is no watch pocket. The waist band is lined with a wide band of white duck material that is also used for the pockets, and fully lines the seat and front.

The rear has a single external pocket on the left hip. The US Army introduced the hip pocket in issue trousers only in 1882, and then on the right side.  [sr][ph:L]

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