This is a scarce set of shoulder straps in very good condition, showing just enough wear to indicate they were actually used by the officer. Smith patent shoulder straps are desirable variants to insignia collectors and this pair not only bears a double rather than single border, but also displays a rare rank insignia: that of an infantry regimental quartermaster with the silvered quartermaster department “QD” initials in Old English applied between his gilt first lieutenant rank bars. In addition, these are mounted on a, now faded, light blue ground rather than the more common black field of officers in a staff position. The use of the “QD” on shoulder straps is not regulation, but appears in the catalogs of some military goods dealers and likely made its way into the field by way of state units such as those from New York, entering the volunteer service at the beginning of the war. See Howard Lanham’s key book, “Straps” for details.

James A. Smith, the well-established New York military goods dealer, patented his metallic imitation embroidery shoulder straps on June 18, 1861, asserting they would be, “cheaper, more durable, capable of becoming renovated by wear [by which he presumably means the wear might do away with a gilt finish, but would brighten the underlying brass,] and which can be quickly made in large numbers . . .” These featured stamped brass frames and false embroidered rank insignia, all mounted on a cloth base of appropriate branch of service color. Regimental quartermasters ranked as first lieutenants, as did adjutants, serving in a unit’s “field and staff,” and responsible for the regiment’s supplies and equipment. Responsibility for their food and arms was sometimes given to a commissary or ordnance officer, but frequently fell upon the shoulders of sergeants assigned to aid the quartermaster, with a commissary sergeant standard among the “non-commissioned staff.”

These are in very good condition, showing some wear and fading of the blue ground to a bluish-gray with some white stains, but the frame, insignia and ground firmly attached to one another though with some small gaps at the ends from the differing flexibility of the brass frame and cloth ground that would be sewn or hooked to a coat shoulder. There is some rubbing and oxidation to the frame and rank bars, but still a lot of original gilt, and some wear to the silvering of the letters, with the Q retaining it better than the D. The edges of the cloth ground show wear, all clearly indicating these were actually worn. We see no maker’s mark. Smith’s later work apparently used a red stamp that has often faded or vanished, with his earlier straps having paper labels that were even more fugitive. The frames show the use of short fastening pins, which some take as diagnostic of his wartime production.

These would make great additions to a Civil War insignia collection: a nice combination of visual and historic appeal.  [sr] [ph:m]

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