Help Identify This Outstanding Epaulet

[HRHarris]

Nice looking shoulder board, has a few dings in the brass, but overall, it's good. Initials on the button...as shown. Thanks for your help! PS...I only have this one.

[KurtA]

Topographical Engineers. Mid 19th Century. A really RARE item.

[HRHarris]

Thank you so much!

[KurtA]

After getting home today, I checked some reference books on this. Technically speaking, this is an officer's epaulette for The US Corps of Topographical Engineers. Apparently, those 3 bars indicate rank, but I couldn't confirm that. Not too much info available, since this item is pre Civil War and TE items are seldom encountered. Just the buttons are tough to find. Based on the limited info I was able to find, I believe it's an epaulette for the style of uniform introduced in 1839. That would make it Mexican War era. My reference states this style epaulette was primarily for dragoon officers, but it was known to have been used by TE officers.

 

Some other members here are far more well versed in this category than I am. Hopefully one of them can confirm what I wrote/add additional info.

 

A really special piece of insignia you have there. Thanks for posting it!

[nbolinger]

great item.

[ludwigh1980]

Wow, Topographical Engineers: the Mappers of the West. Quite a historical piece.

[dag]

Awesome item!! Just the button by itself is extremely rare and worth several hundred dollars!

[HRHarris]

Thank you All! I am doing some research with the info provided. Great history.

[Military Engineer]

The Corps of Topographical Engineers exhisted from 1838 to 1863; when they were absorbed back into the COE. There were only 36 positions in the Topogs. You can learn alot about the Topogs at http://www.topogs.org/

[Squeaker]

That is a great artifact.

[Squeaker]

How rare are those buttons?

[Gldank]

Very nice and in great condition too. James