Complete Enlistedman’s Civil War Shoulder Scales / SOLD

Complete Enlistedman’s Civil War Shoulder Scales - Inventory Number: INS 302 / SOLD

Complete pair of shoulder scales with mounting implements.  Light artillery, cavalry troops, and some NCO's, musicians and privates of infantry units went to the front decorated with brass scales on their shoulders.   Made of brass, there are six scales attached to a pan, held together with a thin iron sheet, a brass strip soldered to the pan, and attached to the bottom with a thumb turn, would fit under a brass clip sewed onto the jacket.  They were intended to ward off the blows of sabers by cavalrymen. It is doubtful they ever served such a purpose, and they were frequently discarded by soldiers as an impediment. This pair has an uncleaned patina and would display well in any Civil War collection.

 Inventory Number: INS 302 / SOLD