Standard issue dark blue wool shell jacket with yellow piping on collar and cuffs with yellow trim down the front and along the edges. Jacket has 12 General Service eagle buttons down the front with two buttons on each side of the collar and two at each functional cuff. There is a mix of back marks and a few have been reattached. Corresponding button holes show only light wear.

The body of the jacket is in very good condition. There are no signs of wear or dirt and only a very few individual moth nips kind can be detected. Back center has both pillows well attached. The piping and trim retain their yellow color with no loose stitching. All exterior seams are tight. Collar has one hook and eye closure.

Interior is lined with a cotton batting and features a wide-spaced quilt stitch going back and forth to hold the lining in place. A pocket is in the left breast. There are two noticeable repairs to the lining where separations to the weave have been stabilized. These can be seen at the collar and under the left armpit. Sleeves are lined with white muslin. Right upper sleeve interior is stenciled with size, “2” and two smudged inspector’s marks. The left sleeve is marked “CHRISDIE”.

Mounted on the shoulders are brass shoulder scales. These were originally prescribed to ward off saber blows but were usually discarded by new recruits who wanted to avoid ridicule from veteran soldiers. One is stamped with a Horstmann maker’s mark. This same scale appears to have a repair to the underside. The other scale is complete and undamaged.

This jacket is a fine example of a Civil War Cavalry shell jacket which is much less common than the Artillery counterpart.   [jet]

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