December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
A most handsome pair of epaulettes of French manufacture for the American market, this pattern is almost certainly one intended for an artillery or ordnance officer, in that the strap is done in gold embroidery upon a scarlet cloth ground, the metal and facing colors worn by such officers during the 1812 era. The original epaulette box survives; made of pressboard covered with marbled paper, its lid has a white label affixed to it bearing an inked name: "A. McArthur's"; there was no McArthur with a first name starting with "A" serving in the U.S. Army during this period, so the wearer was almost certainly a volunteer or militia officer of field grade or above. The undersides or lining of the epaulette straps are yellow silk. CONDITION: The gold embroidery and bullion fringe are bright and in very good condition; there is some minor loss to the scarlet edging, which could be restored; the lining is soiled and there are a few small holes in it.