Chris Posted December 26, 2021 Share #1 Posted December 26, 2021 I just purchased these and have no idea what they are. I din't even have them yet, so the exact size is unknown. However, they certainly look like Civil War era "circlets" (maybe even earlier)? I have seen circlets with regimental numbers, etc. for wear on epaulettes. And I have seen circlets with officer ranks for wear on the cuffs in the field. But these have the federal eagle / shield design with possibly a sun-ray sort of detail. Perhaps a staff insignia? State insignia? Furthermore, the background appears off white. I thought maybe the top fabric was totally mothed away leaving a white backing. But when I look at the back they may indeed be white disks. I also see a few fragments of a grass green thread on the edges. In any case, I was REALLY HOPING someone could help me with an ID and any other info they may have. I think these are pretty neat insignia whatever they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share #2 Posted December 29, 2021 Just in case it prompts some discussion, if you look at the Illinois state flag you will see an eagle and shield, with a sun to the right. These have a striking similarity in detail. I am beginning to think they are related to an Illinois unit pre Civil War = Civil War era... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted December 29, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share #4 Posted December 29, 2021 Mystery solved. These are scarce Illinois officer's insignia. The gilt metal pair in this photo date ton1895. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illinigander Posted January 26, 2022 Share #5 Posted January 26, 2022 With the 1868 date on the Illinois State seal pictured above, I think that was the time that shield was adopted illinigander Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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