An excellent condition set of South Carolina shoulder straps and cap or hat insignia. These are bullion embroidered on a black velvet ground using a web backing and finished with the backs left open. The straps are single-border and while using gold for the bullion border, observe the state preference for silver both on the jaceron wire edging along the interior and exterior edges of straps of the borders and for the insignia itself.

The straps each bear a palmetto tree at center, rendered in silver, set crosswise on the strap, with the bottom just touching the jaceron wire and the top leaves of the tree just shy of the other edge. The cap insignia is oval, embroidered along the edge with a gold wreath of leaves and berries, open slightly at the top, and in the center with an “SC” in Old English letters rendered in silver.

The condition of all three pieces is excellent. The straps show just a little wear along the edges. The colors are strong. There are no pulls to the bullion or moth damage to the velvet. We take the rank to be a second lieutenant.

South Carolina had a strong militia in the 1850s, both common (or “beat”) militia and the more colorful volunteer companies. The state legislature authorized the Governor to call up a state force of some sixteen infantry regiments, along with cavalry and artillery, from the militia and volunteers just three days before the state seceded on Dec. 20, 1860, and on Dec. 31 the legislature organized “the regular military service of South Carolina,” initially composed of one regiment of infantry and a battalion each of cavalry and artillery. Forces rapidly expanded after that and as an emblem of state pride and sovereignty the palmetto tree was to be commonly seen throughout the war on South Carolina militia and volunteers.  [sr] [ph:m]

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