UNION CAVALRY SHELL JACKET

$1,895.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2024-1844

The m1858 Mounted Services Jacket - trimmed in yellow - was ubiquitous among Federal Cavalry Troopers during the Civil War and into the West as a standard issue item.  One of the war’s most attractive and functional garments, few survive outside of private collections and museums at present.  This scarce example has several unique features, including a date of manufacture clearly stamped on the inside of both sleeves near the armpits of the jacket, making this a confirmed and very rare wartime production jacket.

The jacket is made of wool broadcloth in a nice indigo Federal blue with no evidence of fading aside from a very small area on the back of the raised collar. Japanned black hook and eye closure is present and intact as are each collar button.  The 12 buttons along the front closure are present but one is unattached (and included).  Each button on the jacket is a beautifully marked “Scovills and Co. Extra”, which adds to the credentials of this remarkable garment.

The condition of the jacket could best be described as used but good.  There is no wear along any of the edges, all trim is solidly attached and uniformly colored, and both belt pads or “pillows” are firmly affixed at the lower back.  The exterior shows signs of older repairs including areas of indigo blue stitching that rejoin areas of moth damage and possible wear from regulation mounted service equipment worn across the shoulders and chest.  Mothing is present on the rear of the collar.  All repairs are quite understated and do not detract from the integrity of the piece.  There is a 2” separation along the top seam of the upper left shoulder.  The jacket features hand-sewn and period machine stitching throughout the exterior body.

The interior of the jacket is padded and lined with a nice off-white, loosely-woven cotton material.  Hand sewing is evident along the sleeve seams with hand finishing along facings, edges, and the breast pocket.  There are minor areas of snagging likely from light use – distinctly different from typical mothing – but the lining is in an overall good condition with minimal staining or discoloration.  The lining has separated in a minor 3” run from the collar on the left side and a 1” run in the center.  The integrity of the collar is unaffected.

The interior of each sleeve features clearly stamped sizing and manufacturers markings:

The left interior sleeve features a single sizing dot, a numeral “1”, two vertical markings in black ink – likely a numeral “II” related to inspection, and “R&W Nov. 8 64”.

The right interior sleeve features a single sizing dot, a numeral “1”, a stamped “X” – likely related to inspection, and “R&W Nov. 8 64”.

This jacket is an example of the smallest size produced during the war for Federal service and does not exhibit any alterations.

Original specimens of this type are becoming very difficult to find, let alone a verified wartime production example such as this.  This is an essential item for the Civil War, Cavalry, or Western Expansion collector and would display beautifully with or without associated accoutrements.  [cm][ph:c/L]

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