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PATTERN 1832 INFANTRY OFFICER’S COATEE COAT SKIRTS
ORNAMENTS – ORIGINAL MATCHED PAIR IN EXCELLENT “LIKE
NEW” CONDITION - BRIGHT BULLION:
This
is a matched pair of Pattern 1832 Infantry Officer’s
Coatee Skirt Ornaments, such as were worn on long rear
skirts of the short-waisted coatee. All officers of
that era wore similarly designed badges on the coatee
skirts, of the pattern particular to their branch of
service or staff department. While dating to well
before the Mexican War, there is some indication they
were worn through the Mexican War and in some
applications survived into the first years of the Civil
War, perhaps on the uniforms of state militia officers
who answered the call to arms.
Measuring 2 ˝” wide and 2” high, this is a matched
identical pair. Unlike such ornaments of the other
branches and departments of the army, the Infantry
Officer’s horn insignia were the only ones paired with
one right and one left on the coatee. The gold bullion
horns are looped and suspended on a bullion cord from a
three leaf clover shaped knot. The bullion was stitched
in such a way that the horns present in raised relief
from the background. The bells and mouthpieces of the
horns, and the clover shaped knots are highlighted with
small gilt sequins. The bullion horns are sewn to a
dark blue wool cloth which is mounted on a stiffened
cloth buckram backing. The bullion on both pieces is
overall bright and showing only minimal natural aging
and patina. All of the bullion is well attached with no
loose or missing threads or sequins. The blue wool is
in excellent condition with no mothing and the backing
is likewise intact with only very minor discoloration
due to age. There are stitch holes visible on the
reverse which is undoubtedly where the two pieces were
sewn together by the original manufacturer in order that
they stay together until sewn on the coatee. It does
not appear that this pair was ever mounted on a coatee.
So many of the paired insignia were long ago separated
from their matching mates – something unfortunately all
too common when families divided up estates and at least
two descendants were not playing well together. That
this matched pair of Infantry Officer’s Coatee Tail
Ornaments survived intact and in such fine condition is
nothing less than remarkable, and these scarce insignias
would be an excellent addition to a grouping of early US
Army officer’s swords, accoutrements, and uniforms.
(0828) $350 for the pair
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