CIVIL WAR US IMPORT FRENCH CHASSEUR EPAULETS: 18th MASS AND OTHERS

$475.00

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Item Code: 149-44

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These green and yellow epaulets were part of the 10,000 unforms ordered in Summer 1861 by the US government from the French firm of Godillot to alleviate uniform shortages and test the usefulness of French army light infantry (“chasseur”) uniforms and gear. These were shipped in November 1861 and were awarded to regiments in the Army of the Potomac on the basis of drill competitions. They did not go as far as hoped: many of the uniforms were too small, but regiments known to have received them included the 18th MA, 62nd and 83rd PA, and a regiment of the Excelsior Brigade.

The dress uniform included the French Model 1860 tunic, with some slight modifications, but was blue, trimmed in yellow, fastened by eight pewter eagle buttons and fitted with these green and yellow epaulets. When the regiments awarded these uniforms shifted back to standard issue uniforms these were returned to government stores. Some elements of the uniforms were reissued. We don’t know about the epaulets, but some bandsmen in the Veteran Reserve Corps are photographed wearing the shakos, for instance.

These are in very good condition, with nice color and only a couple pinprick moth nips. The undersides show some wear to the lining. These were fastened to the shoulder by running under cloth loops sewn to the tunic and then buttoning near the collar. The buttons on them now were added for display and are gilt brass US eagles secured by simple paper wedges through the shanks on the underside.

These are not militia pieces, but are known to have been issued in the Army of the Potomac during the war and part of the colorful array of uniforms in which many early war volunteers were clothed.  [SR][PH:L]

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