Early Dress Coat named & dated 1912

[jim2]

This is an early period C.A.C coat tails issued to a Capt. Harry P Wilbur who was born in 1875 in Pa. He appears to have joined the service in July of 1898 and was re-tired in Dec of 1922 due to a disability in the line of duty. I sent away to nara for more info. When was this type of uniform used. What I found odd was i thought it would use shoulder boards, but there are no provisions to attach shoulder boards to the coat. The bullion is in nice shape, and 1 of the sew on C.A.C devices is missing.

[jim2]

Close up of bullion & sewn on C.A.C:

 

[jim2]

Label:

 

[jim2]

Back of coat:

[Ranger-1972]

The special evening dress uniform was authorized for wear (with various changes over the years) from 1902-1979. The 1902 version is distinguished by trefoils (the indication of rank) that were 1/8" in width, over a 1/2" wide band of solid gold, two-vellum lace passing around the jacket's cuff and placed 2 1/2" from the bottom of the cuff. This uniform was worn until 1917, when it (along with the dress, full dress, and mess dress uniforms) was discontinued for the duration of the war (though officers serving as military aides to the President continued to wear it for formal functions at the White House.

 

In 1928, the Army authorized officers to once again wear the pre-WWI versions of the formal uniforms -- including the special evening dress uniform -- on an optional basis.

 

In 1937, the Army changed the sleeve insignia to a 1/4" band of silk of the color of the officer's branch was worn between two 1/4" bands of gold lace (an artillery officer's sleeve insignia would be bands of gold-scarlet-gold around the cuff). This cuff pattern is seen on today's blue mess dress jackets. In 1942, wear of formal uniforms were once again discontinued for the duration of the war.

 

In 1948, the pre-WWII version of the special evening dress uniform was reintroduced (on an optional basis). In the early 1950s, a new sleeve insignia was introduced (but officers could continue to wear the older version until 1955). In addition to the change in sleeve braid, the newer version of the special evening dress uniform had three buttons on each side, vice two. This uniform was authorized until 1979, when it was discontinued. After 1979, the blue mess jacket -- when worn with a stiff-front shirt with wing collar, white bow tie, and white vest -- served as the evening dress uniform.

 

The jacket you have depicted appears to be the pre-1937 version, with the solid gold band of lace around the cuff.