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Cavalry Jacket


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Here's a fairly scarce piece: a cavalry jacket actually issued, worn in the field, and modified by the soldier. The vast majority of mounted jackets in collector hands, both cavalry and artillery jackets, come from the large surplus stocks left over at war's end. Even with issues made by the government to the Freedman's Bureau, etc., the reduction of the army and changes in uniform regulations meant that thousands of these jackets made their way into the hands of surplus dealers.

 

This is a scarce version with an eleven-button front, which is a characteristic of the Cincinnati Depot. Interestingly, it has a plaid body lining, like those sometimes seen in Schuylkill Arsenal products. My own feeling is that government arsenals were prone to produce and accept more variations and cost-saving measures than were allowed to contractors, who had to conform to specifications or have their pieces rejected and not paid for.

 

In this case the soldier modified the jacket by lowering the collar. It was cut just above the lower piping of the bottom false button hole on each side. The piping along the base of the collar and up the front was retained, but the top edge was just sewn closed and left without piping. The soldier also removed the two bolsters at the rear waist that were intended to support the loaded saber belt. He then took the piping from them and used it to fill in the gaps in the back stripes.

 

This has an association with a midwestern cavalry unit. Nothing hard and fast, but it tallies with the Cincinnati Depot association of the button arrangement. The lining is in good shape, but any maker or inspector marks are no longer visible.

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Very nice jacket! Like you said, you don’t see many that have been worn in the field. I own an artillery shell jacket that was used postwar by a theater company. If you have time it would be great to see more photos.

 

 

Frank

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Here's a shot of the interior showing the plaid lining. The inside of the lapel will also give an idea of the texture of the wool.

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