Civil War Union Cavalry 1st Lieutenant’s Frock Coat

Civil War Union Cavalry 1^st Lieutenant’s Frock Coat – This fine example of a Civil War, Cavalry officer’s, single-breasted frock coat, remains in overall very good condition. There is some scattered, relatively minor, insect damage, as well as some minor areas of wear – we had our textile conservator shore up some areas, which are visible in the various images.  Regardless, this coat is a strong example of a rarely encountered, mounted branch of Civil War, Federal service. The coat is constructed of a fine grade of English, broadcloth wool,  in a deep, indigo-dyed blue; both original, bullion, 1^st Lieutenant of the Cavalry, rank straps remain in place, each featuring deep yellow, velvet interiors. All original sew, Eagle “C” coat buttons are present – nine in the single-breasted configuration on the front of the coat and four, in a two over two, configuration, on the tails; there are no cuff buttons, and no evidence that there ever were. The buttonholes are hand-whipped and corded. The interior lining of the coat is the typical, polished, green satinette, which is quilted in the chest area; the quilting extends into the blue wool lining. There are two slanted, breast pockets (one on each side of the interior), both lined in a brown, polished cotton. The cotton sleeve linings are quite impressive – even blue stripes, with blue stars, in between each row of the stripes; both linings remain in fine condition. The interior collar is lined with black velvet. Both tail pockets are lined with a polished, brown cotton. The skirt hems, as in all period frock coats, are unhemmed, and the elbow areas are “ballooned”. The coat exhibits a combination of treadle machine and hand sewn construction. This is a superior example of a Federal, Civil War, Cavalry officer’s frock coat.