Introduced in 1851 for mounted troops, brass shoulder scales were decorative, but were also meant to be a shoulder defense against saber cuts. In 1854/55 they became regulation for all branches of service and were supplied in three configurations: for privates, for sergeants, and for members of the non-commissioned staff: the regimental sergeant-major, etc. This is a pair of private’s scales, with the brass half-crescents (sergeants had top and bottom sections) and separate, but plain, scales along the shoulder strap portion (non-commissioned staff had the full crescent and visible rivets along the top.)

These are in very good condition, with a mostly bright finish. The iron strap on the underside shows some rust and light corrosion. The spring straps are still securely soldered in place on the underside.

This is a basic Civil War uniform item that was issued to just about every Union soldier and probably despised by every soldier in turn, when called upon to polish them once again for dress parade. [jet] [ph:L]

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