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PATTERN 1879 UNIFORM GREAT COAT DETACHABLE LINED
CAPE – FAIRLY SCARCE INDIAN WAR UNIFORM ITEM:
True veterans of the
Frontier Indian Wars Army, these are original Pattern 1879
Detachable Lined Capes for the Enlisted Man’s Overcoat,
also known during the period as a Greatcoat.
The cape, a feature of US Army overcoats from the
antebellum period, continued with this pattern, however
as introduced in some of the earlier post-Civil War
patterns, this cape attached under the collar of the
overcoat with a series of hook and eyes which permitted
the soldier to remove the cape when the additional
warmth and protection was not required.
As
scarce as these detachable capes are, and as easily has
they became separated from the greatcoats, I have been
able to obtain two examples, and each is listed below
with accompanying photographs.
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No.
1
PATTERN 1879 UNIFORM GREAT COAT DETACHABLE LINED CAPE: As detailed in
General Order No. 76, published July 23, 1879, this cape
is lined with dark blue wool shirting or flannel,
indicating it was issued to a soldier in the Infantry,
as the color of the lining was consistent with the color
of the particular arm of the service to which the
soldier was assigned – red for Artillery, yellow for
Cavalry, and so on.
This cape presents very well, still retains its shape
and body, all of the buttons are present on the front of
the cape, and all are original. All of the eyes that
attach the cape to the coat are present and intact. The
material is in very good to excellent condition, being
neither rotted nor torn, nor showing any severe soiling,
stains or fading. The wool still retains the “live”,
soft feeling and those of you familiar with old wool
know that this old material often has a “hardened”
texture to the surface.
There are two small moth
holes on the right rear section where the cape would
rest on the right side of the soldier’s back, and they
would not be visible when the cape was displayed. All
of the seams and stitching is intact and the cape is not
fragile in any way.
The one notable sign of
wear is somewhat puzzling. The lining is fashioned in
three sections in order to accommodate the curve of the
cape as it hangs on the soldier – one across the back
and one on each side of the front. For whatever reason,
at some point the rear section of the lining was removed
and it was very neatly done. While there is no way of
knowing, two possible reasons occur to me. First, the
soldier needed some dark blue wool to repair or fashion
a piece of clothing for which there was no authorized
issue or appropriation. Or, the soldier felt the
additional layer in the rear of the cape was unnecessary
weight and warmth that he could live without. In either
case, or for any other purpose, by removing just the
rear section the lining on the front sections which
would show when the cape front was open and the front
sections were flipped back over the shoulders, the
absence of the rear section of lining would pass
unnoticed by the company first sergeant. Commonly any
Quartermaster Depot or contractor’s ink stamps would be
applied to the lining of the overcoat sleeves, so the
absence of any stamps on this cape is normal and
expected.
This overcoat cape is a very attractive specimen and is
a piece that is not commonly encountered on the loose to
complete your overcoat display. (0610)
$375
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No.
2 PATTERN 1879
UNIFORM GREAT COAT DETACHABLE LINED CAPE: As detailed in
General Order No. 76, published July 23, 1879, this cape
is lined with dark blue wool shirting or flannel,
indicating it was issued to a soldier in the Infantry,
as the color of the lining was consistent with the color
of the particular arm of the service to which the
soldier was assigned – red for Artillery, yellow for
Cavalry, and so on.
This cape is in excellent, "like new" condition,
retaining its shape
and body, all of the US Army General Service buttons are present on the front of
the cape, and all are original. All of the eyes that
attach the cape to the coat are present and intact.
The dark blue lining is fully intact, and like the
exterior shows no wear or damage. The
material is in excellent condition, being
neither rotted nor torn, nor showing any soiling,
stains or fading and there is no mothing nor any other
damage - in fact, the cape shows no signs of ever
having been issued or worn. The wool still retains the “live”,
soft feeling and those of you familiar with old wool
know that this old material often has a “hardened”
texture to the surface.
Any
Quartermaster Depot or contractor’s ink stamps would be
applied to the lining of the overcoat sleeves, so the
absence of any stamps on this cape is normal and
expected.
This overcoat cape is as good a specimen as can be
found, and one that would never have to be upgraded.
Not
a piece that is not commonly encountered on the loose to
complete your overcoat display.
SOLD
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