Original Civil War Federal Issue Enlisted Man’s Mounted Greatcoat

Original Civil War Federal Issue Enlisted Man’s Mounted Greatcoat – Per the Revised U.S. Army Regulations of 1861 Section 1595, this greatcoat is constructed of sky-blue wool with the correct kersey weave. This mounted overcoat has a double-breasted front with twelve ¾” Eagle buttons, six on each side; it has a stand and fall collar and turn down cuffs on the sleeves.  The coat is lined to the waist with dark blue, kersey weave wool.  The sleeves are lined with a coarsely woven, beige cotton; the back sizing belt has one ¾” Eagle button for adjustments. The Federal regulation overcoat for mounted enlisted men, remains one of the most iconic uniform elements of the Civil War; countless, period images depict soldiers wearing these coats. It has become very difficult to find decent examples of this coat now. As enumerated, this example was manufactured of the standard, Union issue, sky-blue kersey wool; unlike the dismounted or infantry overcoat, this style of overcoat was double breasted, buttoning with two parallel sets of six, general service eagle buttons, on the front. Per regulation, mounted overcoats were double-breasted, and originally had a cape extending to each cuff. This example does not appear to have ever had a cape attached; many of the enlisted mounted soldiers greatly disliked the capes, as evidenced by several period images of soldiers with cape-less overcoats. The original, wool, tightening belt, with its one button, remains intact, on the back of the coat. This adjustable belt was made of two strips of wool, about seven inches long, per strip. There are two buttonholes on the left strip with one button on the right strip. The collar for this mounted style of overcoat, also per regulation, was a layover version – the infantry coat had a stand-up type of collar. Inside the collar are five lines of parallel stitching running completely around the collar’s interior; the “eye” black japanned closure hook remains on the interior of the collar. The un-hemmed bottom of the coat has the typically longer split opening, to accommodate a rider in the saddle. This greatcoat is in excellent condition, with great color. There are no areas of insect damage, with the exception of one or two small holes in the interior lining. This interior lining is in excellent condition and was constructed of a dark blue, coarse, kersey wool. Both high folded cuffs are present, per regulation. The U.S. inspector’s stamp, seemingly from the Cincinnati Depot, as well as the size stamping “1” is clearly visible in the left side body of the interior lining; on the sleeve lining of the right shoulder are the size stampings – “1” and a single dot; also stamped the company name – “Horner & Co.”  – Horner & Co. (possibly operating in Philadelphia) contracted for the production of 25,000 mounted overcoats in March, 1864; above this marking is a large lettered name which appears to be “CHRISLEYS”.  All buttonholes are hand-whipped; the coat itself exhibits both hand and treadle machine work. This coat is an actually issued example, yet it exhibits very little wear or staining. There is a seam opening (not a tear) at the joining of the collar – we will get our textile conservator to make this relatively easy repair. The mounted overcoat is an essential aspect of any Civil War uniform collection.