Civil War New York Artillery 2nd Lieutenant’s Frock Coat and Trousers

Civil War New York Artillery 2^nd Lieutenant’s Frock Coat and Trousers – This is a superior example of a Civil War period, New York Artillery officer’s uniform. The frock coat is constructed of a high grade of indigo-dyed, English broadcloth wool, which retains its original, deep midnight-blue hue. The coat exhibits the characteristics of a Civil War officer’s frock coat: fine wool composing the body of the coat; unhemmed skirts; “balloon elbows”; tail pockets lined with polished, brown cotton; off-white cotton lining the sleeves; higher collar lined with black velvet; hand-whipped buttonholes; black japanned metal hook and eye collar closure; coarse, quilted cotton breast area; interior of skirts lined in greenish-black satinet; New York staff officer buttons – 9 coat size down the front and 4 coat size on the back waist and skirt tails, 3 New York staff officer cuff buttons on each cuff ; additionally, the 2^nd Lt. of the artillery rank straps are early examples with attachment to the right and left shoulder via “shoelace” tie downs; there are small brass studs under each rank strap with two small attachment holes near the neck area on both sides of the shoulder exterior for affixing dress epaulettes. The interior of the coat exhibits leather, size adjuster belts.

The trousers are the mid-war, sky blue type with narrow, red, artillery branch of service piping down the outside of the exterior of each leg; the interior of each cuff is lined with an off white cotton for protection from soiling; the pockets are the “dog ear” or flap style; the fly buttons, as are all other metal buttons sewn on the trousers, japanned, sheet iron or tin; the back of the trousers, near the waist, exhibits two, blue wool size adjuster bands pulled together by a black japanned, small buckle that is dated: “186?”; the interior of the waist area of the pants is lined with a fine grade of off-white cotton, trimmed by pinking shears.

Both the frock coat and trousers remain in superior condition, with no visible insect nips; there is a minor seam opening near the collar area of the back of the coat – we will have our textile conservator fix this for the buyer.