Rare Civil War Second Lieutenant of Cavalry Shoulder Straps 

Description

Rare Civil War Second Lieutenant of Cavalry Shoulder Straps 

 

A very scarce matched pair of original Civil War second lieutenant of cavalry shoulder straps, retaining their regulation yellow branch-of-service fields surrounded by finely worked gold bullion borders with jaceron edging. 

 

Under Civil War regulations, a second lieutenant wore no rank device within the colored field, making these intentionally plain centers the correct insignia for the lowest commissioned officer grade. Their yellow fields identify the wearer specifically with the Cavalry. 

 

The straps display attractive wartime construction, with broad herringbone-pattern bullion borders and tightly coiled jaceron defining both the inner and outer edges. The bullion has mellowed to a pleasing age patina, while the yellow fields remain readily identifiable. Expected age and service wear is present, particularly along the outer backing edges. 

 

Second lieutenant straps are considerably more difficult to find than their seemingly simple design might suggest, and original matched cavalry pairs are especially scarce. A wonderful, untouched pair of Civil War cavalry officer insignia. 

  

Inventory Number: INS 471