Spanish American War / Pre-WWI Era U.S. Massachusetts State Militia Officer’s Uniform Coat

Spanish American War / Pre-WWI Era U.S. Massachusetts State Militia Officer’s Uniform Coat – This fine quality, double breasted coat has two rows of nine, state of Massachusetts buttons on the front of the coat. Each cuff area has a single band of gold bullion like material; the back of the coat has four Massachusetts buttons – one on either side of the waist area and one on either side of the area near the bottom hem of the skirt. On each shoulder are finely crafted, bold bullion, rank knots, with an eagle button affixed to the neck side of each knot. The high collar of the coat is bordered by a gold bullion like material, with a bright red material in between each row of bullion. The interior of the collar retains a starched white cotton collar, now stained from age and wear, but clearly maker marked and dated – 1896. The coat is lined in a ribbed, black silk; the sleeve linings are striped cotton. We presume that given the bright red color of the collar exterior section, that this coat was worn by an artillery officer. The coat remains in overall fine condition.