Incredible Federal Enlisted Men’s Frock Coat / SOLD

Description

Incredible Federal Enlisted Men’s Frock Coat

 

Incredible example of the federal enlisted men’s frock coat with original infantry sergeant’s Chevrons.

 

One of the nicest field worn examples we have offered and encountered!

 

This Civil War U.S. infantry enlisted man’s frock coat is fully regulation issue with a nine-button front, two-button cuffs, and two buttons on the rear waist. The standing collar and functional cuffs are piped in light blue, the branch of service color for infantry. This pattern was adopted in 1858 as a slight modification of the 1854 and 1855 patterns, using the same collar and cuff design, but returning to a non-pleated waist.

 

These coats were intended to be worn as dress coats in conjunction with the broad-brimmed 1858 army hat, a.k.a. the Jeff Davis or Hardee hat, but wartime necessity brought their use into the field, usually with the standard issue fatigue cap, as seen in countless period images. This is a wonderful example, presenting very good condition, but also field worn. The coat showing sweat stains in the lining and collar with slight rounding from contact with the soldier’s neck and chin. Additionally, the cuffs show grit of camp life and battlefield presence.

 

The body is dark blue wool, lined and slightly padded in the chest and sides, and, correctly, not in the back or skirts, with muslin sleeve linings and polished cotton pockets in the tails that are accessible from the outside. The skirts are full length and unhemmed, as is correct. The buttons are the original general service eagle buttons- nine large on the front, two large on the rear waist, and two small on each functional cuff.

 

The Coat was professionally cryogenically frozen, vacuumed and some crepe lined added to the lining for protection of the worn areas. A custom museum mannequin mount was created by the Royal conservation group in Rhode Island and is only comparable to the Dorfmann examples exceeding $3k to acquire. A rare opportunity to own one of the finest examples to hit the market. These coats were bringing $15,000 and higher just some years ago and the addition of the mount makes this one a very fairly priced specimen.

 

Inventory Number: UNI 198