[MILITIA]. A group of pre-Civil War items, including ca 1850s militia belt and belt plate, officer's sash, and epaulettes. 

Approx. 33 x 1 3/4 in. blackened leather belt with 2-piece gilt cast brass tongue and wreath buckle and brass adjuster buckle (leather with crazing to blackened surface, darkening to tongue and wreath pieces, approx. 1 1/2 in. tear in leather resulting in near complete separation). O'Donnell and Duncan Campbell describe this elaborate Victorian design as being worn extensively by independent companies, bands and firemen during the 1840s and 50s, primarily New England troops (Plate 329, p. 216).

Pre-Civil War crimson officer's sash (wear, fraying particularly along edges, tear at center running the width of the sash, discoloration/fading especially to tassels, areas with scattered runs/tears). Approx. length 108 in. including acorns and tassels, width approx. 4 in. at widest point, and tassels each approx. 9 in. 

Set of pre-Civil War dress uniform epaulettes each with gilt bullion tape body, double row of heavy bullion fringe, embroidered crescents, and button-hole Undersides with yellow silk and padded backing still remaining. (Heavy wear and some losses to underneath yellow silk on both epaulettes, particularly near button-side where gilt bullion tape is partially detached from board. Loose embroidery threads and some pulls on fringe.)


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