6 button sack coat

[Sailorjerry45]

Good evening gentlemen,

 

Another item my friend down in Texas picked up is a Spanish American War 6 button sack coat  which doing some digging it seems that the standard pattern for these was a 5 button construction. Is this possibly a later modification or private purchase? It also came with a similar era belt which seems to be in pretty good shape. As always any further knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you, 

USN

 

 

 

 

[CAC1901]

Most likely for coast artillery, their use in that branch is well known.  After the 1902 regs went into effect that branch was authorized continued use of the 'no longer regulation' 5 button sack coat. In practice however an adaptation to a 6 button pattern was commonly used.  It became a sort of 'undress' complement to the new 6 button 1902 dress coat. Some 6 buttons were made from the stock of unmade 5 buttons, or tailoring of an existing coat. And eventually from 1902 dress coats since they just needed the piping removed and a roll over collar. 

[Sailorjerry45]

Why is it that only coastal artillery is known to have used these?

[Pointedcuffs]

The Secretary of War selected two engineer battalions and most of the coast artillery to wear the old uniforms. There were stock piles of the pre 1902 uniforms.

[Sailorjerry45]

So what era would the uniform officially be worn in, in its 6 button configuration. Is it technically post Spanish American War? And in terms familiar to me would it be more of a service uniform or field uniform?

[Sailorjerry45]

Also there is evidently something unique about the buttons on this uniform?

[CAC1901]

The reason the coast artillery wore these is because they were, as a branch, approved to deviate from the standard uniform regs and keep the deleted blue sack coat. And the other main branches were not. The CAC were in this regard like army band units, having approved deviations from the standard uniform regs.  The buttons on yours are the enlisted staff buttons.  Yes these were post Span Am war coats.  Their use was mainly on the post as a service uniform for daily duty.  For field use the old 5 button was used for a few years before the regulation OD or khaki uniforms. At gun emplacements they had brown duck and denim overalls or fatigues. 

[Slobo]

Are there internal pocket(s) -- 1 or 2? If so, internally hung or is there stitching visible on the outside securing the pockets to the shell?

 

[Sailorjerry45]

6 hours ago, Slobo said:

Are there internal pocket(s) -- 1 or 2? If so, internally hung or is there stitching visible on the outside securing the pockets to the shell?

 

2 internally hung pockets