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PATTERN 1885 CAVALRY BANDSMAN – MUSICIAN SHOULDER
KNOT AND CHEST CORDS SET – A VERY SCARCE SET IN
EXCELLENT CONDITION:
This complete set of
Pattern 1885 Cavalry Bandsmen or Musician Shoulder Knots
and Chest Cords, or Aiguillettes, is an extremely scarce
offering, virtually never found as a complete set, nor
in this excellent condition.
As the army moved out west following the Civil War,
significant changes were made to the uniforms. One
notable change took place with the elimination of the
shell jacket adorned with the horizontal rows of
herringbone trim in the color of the service worn by the
buglers and musicians, which was replaced by the dress
coat. While the army continued to provide the
herringbone trim on some of the 1872 and 1884 Dress
Coats issued to bands, the photographic evidence from
the period also shows that the bandsmen wore the
standard dress coat of their particular regiment without
the herringbone trim.
The 1872 Uniform Regulations stated:
“Bands will wear the uniforms of their regiments or
corps. Commanding officers may at the expense of the
Corps, sanctioned by the Councils of Administration,
make such additions of ornaments as they may judge
proper.” (emphasis added)
This last statement created the potential for some
fairly outlandish affectations, limited in practice only
by the imagination of the commanding officer. This
latitude didn’t last forever, and unfortunately – or
fortunately, depending on your point of view, there
doesn’t appear to be a photographic record of what sort
of ornaments the local commanders imagination provided
with which to decorate their bandsmen’s’ uniforms. Some
things are best left to mystery.
In 1885, the army standardized the band uniforms
additions, as well as accoutrements, and accessories
service wide with the issue of General Order 104, which
stated:
“Bands will wear the uniform generally of their
regiments. Commanding officers may, upon appropriations
made by the Councils of Administration, add such
ornaments as they deem proper to the uniforms of the
chief musician and bands, and upon proper application
they will be supplied by the Quartermaster’s Department
with mounted helmets having cords and bands and hair
plumes conforming in color to the arms of the service,
and lyres white metal, aiguillettes with shoulder
knots, music pouches, white linen trousers
(according to the pattern in the office of the
Quartermaster-General, to be worn upon such occasions as
may be prescribed by the commanding officer).”
This set of Pattern 1885 Cavalry Bandsmen or Musician
Shoulder Knots and Chest Cords, or Aiguillettes, has
survived as an intact set, and shows little, if any,
evidence of having been issued or used. Both shoulder
knots are full form, have the complete lining on the
underside, original general service buttons are in
place, the brass mounting hooks are present, and the
full length ties all retain the sealed tips. The chest
cords, also known as aiguillettes, are all intact, full
length and other than some minor snags, are in likewise
excellent condition. The brass cord tips are firmly in
place. The color of the knots and the cords retains the
bright yellow hue, with no fading, soiling or
discoloration.
This is an extremely attractive set, and even if the
opportunity were to present, it would be difficult to
upgrade. This is a uncommon opportunity to take your
Pattern 1884 Cavalry Dress Coat up a notch with a very
dramatic addition.
(0222) $875
HISTORICAL NOTE:
For no other reason than I
had the image available, it has a “hometown” appeal for
me, and that I thought you should have the opportunity
to see it, I’ve included below a photograph of the Band
Barracks at Fort Sam Houston here in San Antonio. This
building still survives on “Infantry Post”, a section of
Ft. Sam across the street from the famous stone walled
Quadrangle. These unique buildings were once present on
most of the larger army posts during the late 19TH
Century, but due to expansion and need for more modern
buildings, most of the Band Barracks buildings across
the nation have been torn down through the years. In
the dim recesses of my memory, it seems to me that at
one time I was told this is the last – or one of a very
few – that still survive intact and in its original
form. The covered portico at the top front of the
building provided a protected open air area for the band
to practice where the rest of the post could enjoy the
music. It is easy to imagine soldiers relaxing on the
porches of their barracks, and officers and senior NCOs
taking the evening air with their ladies, as they
listened to the regimental band’s serenade.
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