ACW Epaulet?

[Phogan87]

I just purchased this on a whim. Looks like it checks out as authentic ACW but was wondering if anyone had thoughts. Thanks in advance!

 

[Phogan87]

Also, does anybody know what the bars on the epaulets stand for and if they think that they are original to the piece?

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

You do realize that your whim is now going to lead you into having to buy an epaulet box and further accoutrements.

That's the way it works.

 

[Phogan87]

 

[Salterr]

This would be a civil war era epaulette. The bars are for a captain, though the bottom one looks like it was added later and is not original since they do not match. You can see the shorter one is properly attached with pins. If the second one is too it may have been a replacement at one time. Normally they'd be the same size. The light color circle at the round end of the board is where a circlet once sat which would have had the regiment number. That would have been held by pins too. EDIT

 

[Salterr]

For a captain rank that these show the bullion fringe should be 2.5 inches long and 1/4 inch wide