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ORIGINAL CIVIL WAR OFFICER'S CRIMSON SILK SASH
–EXCELLENT CONDITION: This original Civil War
Officer's Red Silk Sash is in spectacular condition,
showing very little signs of use or aging, and retaining
its full form.
The method of wearing these officers’ sashes is often
misunderstood as it is generally believed the sash was
to be wrapped twice around the body and knotted over the
left hip. In fact, this was the case for the general
officer’s buff - or gold colored - sash and the
noncommissioned officer worsted wool red sash. However,
as described in the same language in both the 1851 and
1861 US Army Uniform Regulations, the red silk sash
prescribed for all other officers was “…to go around the
waist and tie as for general officers” – note the
omission of the detail that the sash was to go twice
around the waist. The reason for this omission becomes
clear as the text in both sets of regulations continues,
“The sash will be worn by ‘Officers of the Day’
across the body, scarf fashion, from the right
shoulder to the left side, instead of around the waist,
tying behind the left hip as prescribed” (emphasis
added). If the line officer’s red sash was long enough
to pass around his waist two times as described for the
general officers sash and the noncommissioned officers
sash, the officer’s sash would be far too long to be
worn over his shoulder when serving as the Officer of
the Day. Instructions for all three sashes – general
officers, officers, and NCOs - the sash, once tied
around the waist, was “not to extend more than eighteen
inches below the tie.”
In form and style, this sash closely resembles those
sashes pictured on pages 137 – 139 in John Langellier’s
excellent Army Blue The Uniform of Uncle Sam’s
Regulars 1848-1873. As can be seen in those
photographs, the sash was worn over the officer’s coat
and under his sword belt.
Woven of silk, the body of this sash measures 6 ½” wide
by 72" long and terminates on each end with a braided
acorn with twisted tassels, each knot measuring 7 ½”
long. The sash is overall in excellent condition with
crisp edges, no tears, wear spots, or the typical
“stringing” where the fabric has been worn down to the
warp threads as seen on so many of these sashes that
survive. The color of the sash is overall very vibrant,
though there two areas of light fading to the body of
the sash – two places equidistant from the center as can
be seen in the photographs - where the sash would be
pulled snug against the hips and be subject to
perspiration, hence the fading. The very ends of the
sash body have the same light fading where the sash
would have been exposed to wet grass or a horse’s body.
Both of these characteristics are evidence the sash is
genuine and was indeed worn by an officer. The tassels
are complete and full form with all of the individual
tassel strings intact.
These original Civil War officer's sashes have become
quite rare on the market, and finding one in this
condition, having recently emerged from a very
significant, long standing collection, is a rare
opportunity.
SOLD
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