[MILITARIA]. Civil War-era enlisted overcoat with modifications.

Enlisted "greatcoat" of sky-blue kersey wool, single-breasted with stand-and-fall collar and attached, over-the-shoulders cape reaching to the elbow. Coat with seven brass general service eagle buttons, the top one loosely sewn with no backmark, then five with backmark of J.H. Wilson of Philadelphia, and the final button with faint backmark of Waterbury Button Co. Sleeves lined in light brown cotton and body from shoulder to waist lined in red wool. Remainder of coat body is unlined. Cape also lined in red wool with five matching brass general service eagle buttons all bearing the backmark of Scovill Manufacturing.  Bottom edge of coat skirt left raw without stitching or hem. Cuffs approximately 4 3/4 in. deep. Vent approximately 14 in. Interior above vent stenciled "6." Red wool lining at center back with handwritten black "51."

The single-breasted feature and elbow length cape of this greatcoat are standard for Model 1858 federal issue infantry greatcoats utilized during the Civil War, while the stand-and-fall collar is typical for the Indian War period infantry or mounted from 1872 and later. Photographic evidence from the Civil War period demonstrates that there were state issued greatcoats with a mixture of components and that lacked the federal issue standing collar for infantry.

Provenance: Purchased from John Langellier who identified it as a state issued jacket (as related by consignor).

Condition generally good with light soil, scattered mothing, small rips and evidence of hand repairs. Collar with heavier wear and appears to have been reinforced. 


The Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann