rhill13 Posted September 22, 2014 Share #1 Posted September 22, 2014 I decided to take a chance on buying what was described as a post Civil War frock coat. It looks like a very fine tailored piece with a very dark blue, almost black wool. I can't determine if the quilted lining is the black turned green polished cotton often seen. The buttons are anchored with rings like I've seen on a couple of frocks. The button holes on the entire coat are hand stitched for the rings. The first thing that caught my attention on the liner was this construction of the lining. There is an strip of silk bordering the wool. On the button side, it keeps the wearer from feeling the rings. The color is....interesting. Measurements total length - 37 inches skirt only - 19 inches sleeve - 26 inches elbow - 7 7/8 inches cuff - 6 inches across shoulders - 16 1/4 inches collar exterior - 1 1/8 inches velvet collar interior - 1 1/4 inches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted September 22, 2014 All large buttons are Waterbury Scovill MFG Co. Maybe 1865 manufacturing I've researched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted September 22, 2014 side pic. Sorry for the sideways pics. The edit or reply page isn't letting me rotate or delete them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted September 22, 2014 button hole interior Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted September 22, 2014 back of front nine and rear of coat buttons appear the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted September 22, 2014 sleeve buttons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted September 23, 2014 stitched button holes on non fuctional cuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted September 23, 2014 here's the custom tailored lining I'm guessing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted September 23, 2014 It has two inside breast pockets and two hidden pockets on the inside of the tail area. All with the same brown brushed cottonish lining Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted September 23, 2014 Yes, it's purple. Japanned collar hook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted September 23, 2014 The lining has less wear under the silk. Lots of hand stiching along the edge of the wool and liner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted September 23, 2014 A view of the padding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted September 23, 2014 another pocket pic. Also, the skirt edge has a raw edge. I looked for a fraternal cross at the sleeve bottoms and didn't see any evidence of ever having them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted September 23, 2014 There is some stitching evidence of a shoulder board being attached. The threads are about 1 1/2 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches long. Not that it proves anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted September 23, 2014 If you have any ideas on what exactly it is, I'd appreciate it. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJM Posted September 24, 2014 Share #16 Posted September 24, 2014 To me, the coat appears to be "Indian Wars" period. The color is more black than Civil War dark blue and it does not appear to have very wide elbows. Civil War Federal frock coats are generally a blue color and have sleeves that are very wide at the elbow. If it were mine, I would consider it from the 1880s period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SARGE Posted September 24, 2014 Share #17 Posted September 24, 2014 A really interesting frock coat. It does have the puff sleeves at the shoulder that is indicative of the CW time period so I think it could be either Civil War or early Indian War period from what I can see. I am not thrilled with the purple flap in the interior but I do like the lining. I think you were wise to take a chance on this frock coat. Is the bottom of the skirt un-hemmed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 24, 2014 Author Share #18 Posted September 24, 2014 Thanks for responding guys. The bottom of the skirt is unhemmed. Regarding the purple silk, I was wondering if it was the owner customizing it like some coats had a pocket on the exterior. The silk trim would never be seen when worn and served a purpose. Just my guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbunnyB/3/75FA Posted September 25, 2014 Share #19 Posted September 25, 2014 i would think its most likely not too long after the CW. the purple was most likely the tailor using scraps. its a nice looking item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Ragan Posted September 25, 2014 Share #20 Posted September 25, 2014 I agree with Sarge, it's C.W. or Indian Wars era up until the early 1870's when the Army adopted new uniforms. The late 1870's and later Indian Wars era frock coats were shorter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted September 25, 2014 Author Share #21 Posted September 25, 2014 That's good news. Indian wars, great. Civil war, even better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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