Civil War Union 2nd Lieutenant of the Infantry Fatigue Blouse or Sack Coat

Civil War Union 2^nd Lieutenant of the Infantry Fatigue Blouse or Sack Coat – This rare coat remains in superb condition; the fine, English broadcloth wool retains its period, deep blue color and exhibits little to no insect damage. The coat exhibits the work of a superior tailor, indicative of it being a custom-tailored textile – there is considerable hand work, to include the finely quilted lining, the sleeve linings, the dark velvet collar and the tacking on the underside of the collar and lapels. The coat exhibits the following, war period characteristics: wide or “balloon” elbows, considerable (as mentioned) hand work, hand-whipped and corded buttonholes, fine cotton, striped (even width stripes) sleeve lining, Smith’s Patent 2^nd Lt. of the infantry shoulder straps, dark satinette quilted padded lining, polished print cotton lining interior and exterior pockets, “gathered” shoulder construction. The front panels are curved at the left and right bottoms. This coat features an unusual three-button front, with two buttons on the back waist / hip area – all of the buttons are Eagle I officer buttons with RMDC pre-war, Horstmann back marks; there are two Eagle I, non-functional cuff buttons on the cuffs, all exhibiting war period, “Extra Quality” back marks. The coat has two front, exterior, flap covered, larger pockets, with an upper left small pocket, combined with a mid-right, small crescent-shaped watch pocket – all are lined with a fine cotton print material. The interior of the coat exhibits one vest pocket, also lined with the same unusual cotton print.