December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2023
This pattern of jacket appeared in 1854, was adopted with yellow trim by the new cavalry regiments in 1855, and was regulation for privates, and NCOs with appropriate chevrons, in both regular and volunteer cavalry regiments throughout the war. The condition is excellent with strong color to dark blue wool body and complete regulation piping, around the collar, false buttonholes, front and waist, on the rear bolster supports for the saber belt, in arcs on each side of the back and forming a chevron on each cuff. All buttons are correct, original small general-service eagle buttons, some resewn over the years. 2 are missing from the 12-button front and one is retained by safety pin. Replacements are easy to find. Collar and cuff buttons in place. Loose-weave gray wool lining in place, with single pocket in left breast. Off-white sleeve linings show US inspection stamp in right sleeve. Minor light stains in body and sleeve lining. Hook in place in collar; eye is missing. Cavalry jackets have strong visual and romantic appeal for the collector. This jacket is accompanied by a photo of the original collector wearing it for use in World War II. The picture was taken during WWII when Harold D. Langley was stationed in New Jersey, as was his older brother Edward. At the time, the Army of the United States had a regulation which said that previous generation uniforms may still be worn if the uniform is in good repair. Edward, who was a writer for the Communications Corps, came up with an idea for a publicity stunt based on this regulation. The picture is of the stunt; Harold went home to upstate New York, got the uniform, and reported back to his base wearing it, to this thoroughly bewildered desk sergeant, saying “It’s in good repair!” The picture was printed in the Stars and Stripes. After the photo was taken and Harold went to his barracks, the sight of the uniform continued to cause a stir on the base; some people thought he was a foreign military officer, and others who recognized the uniform wondered: “What’s this old Civil War veteran doing coming out of the woodwork to serve again?” The 1944 photo shows how long that has been true: the spacing and variation in alignment of the collar trim precisely matches that shown in the photo proving it is the same jacket. This would be the centerpiece of a cavalry display, with an interesting side story. CONDITION: Excellent.
Item Dimensions: 10" x 10"