CIVIL WAR INFANTRY CAPTAIN’S COAT WITH RIFLEMEN BUTTONS

CIVIL WAR INFANTRY CAPTAIN’S COAT WITH RIFLEMEN BUTTONS

Hover to zoom

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Image 5 Image 6 Image 7 Image 8 Image 9 Image 10 Image 11 Image 12 Image 13

$7,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1314-05

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

Line officers, who were posted in regimental line of battle to supervise their companies, were instantly recognizable by their single-breasted coats. This very good condition example bears the regulation nine officer’s buttons down the front, four on the tails, and three smaller ones on each cuff, all with the regulation “Eagle-R” buttons with an “R” in the shield covering the eagle’s breast, indicating riflemen. The shoulder straps are Smith patent infantry Captain’s straps, utilizing gilt stamp brass borders imitating embroidered bullion single row borders, fitted with light blue centers, and carrying false-embroidered double bars at each end indicating the officer’s rank. These were a common-sense alternative to embroidered bullion borders and rank insignia, which might snag on something and was certainly less easy to clean and brighten again by simple polishing.

The collar is the typical standing collar, fastened at the front by a wire hook and eye, about 1-1/4” at the front edge and 1-1/2” at the center of the back. The sleeves have a good 8-1/2” or 9” width at the elbow, a fashion at the time. The cuffs are functional and about 5-7/8” wide at the opening. There are pockets with exterior openings in the tails. The pocket linings are intact. The color and condition of the cloth are excellent. The seams are tight. There is just a little fraying to the stitching holding the shoulder strap on the wearer’s left, probably from the weight of the fabric occasionally pulling away from the rigid straps when the coat is folded or set down. We see just a half-dozen pencil-point moth nips that are scarcely visible: at the right elbow, and first, third and fifth buttons.

The interior is fully lined in the body and skirts in a polished green material, quilted in narrow lines in the chest, sides, shoulders and upper back, and a single pocket in the left breast. There is some very slight wear to the lining at the armpits, but no holes, fraying or open seams. The sleeves are lined in white. The condition of the interior is as strong as the exterior. We see just three small moth nips, two pencil eraser size and one pencil point size, inside the wearer’s right lapel about half way up, near where the blue fabric joins the green lining and, like it, is quilted. The lining itself shows just a ¼ hole in the lower back and two short tears, or wear spots just below, along with two or three very small wear spots to the lining of the skirts near the rear vent. None of these show on the outside of the coat.

One of the skirt buttons and two of the lapel buttons had broken thread and are held in by a safety pin. The lower cuff button on the left sleeve is still in place, but the fabric to which it is sewn shows a small tear, as if someone tried to open the cuff without unbuttoning it. The large buttons show Steele & Johnson backmarks. The small ones are Extra Quality. All show signs of resewing, done at the same time. The buttonholes on front show some light wear, indicating the coat saw some use, as do the very minor wear spots in the lining. The coat has very strong condition and is very displayable.  [sr] [ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire »

Inquire About CIVIL WAR INFANTRY CAPTAIN’S COAT WITH RIFLEMEN BUTTONS

should be empty