Civil War GAR uniform ID.

[major bill]

This is not a real common item. Anyone care to tell us how it is related to the Civil War?

 

[John Hartwell]

That's a cape and kepi of the Sons of Veterans' Reserve, "the ceremonial uniformed military component of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW)." That certainly looks like a woman's cape, though I can't find mention of a woman's auxiliary to the SVR.

SUVCW--Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR)

 

[major bill]

I think you got it. I should have edited out the sign. Still the cape was an I teresting item.

 

[major bill]

These should be easy, but from what year?

 

[John Hartwell]

There was no "official" standard GAR uniform. Individual Departments and Posts favored different styles that varied over time: black or dark blue jackets, pants and hat or kepi. The single-breasted jacket with narrow lapels here make me think 1870s or '80s. The gentleman wears his GAR membership ribbon, while the lady has the Woman's Relief Corps badge. I must say the man's shoes look decidedly modern.

 

[major bill]

This GAR museum is privately funded and some manikins do appear to have modern shoes. Still I much enjoyed my visit to this GAR museum.