Confederate artillery pants?

[Frawley78]

Does anyone know anything about these pants? I think they might be confederate artillery pants but I'm not sure. I can not find any other examples with the green and red stripe down the side. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[UCVRelics]

They ain't Confederate. From the photos they appear to be US Army artillery officers pants. I'm sure some of our Union uniform guys can give you more info.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Hello Frawley78, welcome aboard.

I'm looking forward to the replies re: your question.

 

[captaindrew]

My guess would be privately made for an officer. Could be either side. Could be Confederate, it's a darker blue than Federal sky blue, common on some Confederate uniforms and Richmond Depot trousers had that buckle in the back but the stripe and back pockets are unusual and look much better made than a depot issue or Federal issue trousers for that matter which would lead me to believe they were tailor made. Looks like they are in great shape, almost too good, doesn't even look like they were used at all.

 

[Frawley78]

Thanks for the info! I only thought they may be confederate because they have the same buttons on a known confederate uniform. Did they used the same buttons on both the North and South? Or it's very possible that the photo I was looking at was mislabeled. The green and red stripes on the sides through me off also. Anyone have an idea of what they might be worth? I'm sure more than the $5 I payed for them.

 

[captaindrew]

Most northern pants had plain pewter or tin buttons. Southern pants had whatever was available. Most of the originals I've seen had bone buttons but they also used tin, pewter and wood buttons and some had a combination of all of the above after field repairs. None of the pants I've used in reenacting has all of their original buttons on them and that's only wearing them 6 or 7 days a month. Imagine what hard field use would do to them 24/7 for a few months.

 

[major bill]

Some interesting responses.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I still defer to our uniform experts, but I've decided to play devil's advocate for a moment.
Are we're sure these pants are Civil War era ? military even ?

While we all know red piping is the color of artillery, I've never seen the dark tape along with the small red stripe.

Could these be a part of a local band uniform perhaps ? or part of a religious/fraternal order ?

Again, I have no idea . . . just an observation.

 

[Patrick H]

Pretty interesting. I can't help ID the trousers, but the responses are interesting.

 

[captaindrew]

I still defer to our uniform experts, but I've decided to play devil's advocate for a moment.
Are we're sure these pants are Civil War era ? military even ?

While we all know red piping is the color of artillery, I've never seen the dark tape along with the small red stripe.

Could these be a part of a local band uniform perhaps ? or part of a religious/fraternal order ?

Again, I have no idea . . . just an observation.

I started thinking the same thing especially when he said he only paid 5 bucks for them. The lining in them doesn't look old enough even if they weren't used and I'm certainly no uniform expert but have studied it some and I don't ever remember seeing any period pants, military or civilian, with back pockets like that.

 

[captaindrew]

Oh I almost forgot, welcome to the forum Frawley78

 

[Michael W.]

I do not believe these are Civil War period at all. From the inner lining style I would say Indian Wars era, and probably 1880's at that. But I am not a uniform expert, so my opinion is just that. Regardless, whatever era they ARE from, $5 is a steal.....

 

[Mr. King]

How do we know they are even American, for that matter?

I am not expert in pantaloonology, but the possibilities here are endless. GAR uniforms, military band uniforms, pre WW1 European military uniform, etc.

TO be frank, I've seen reenactor uniforms from the 1980s that look more like original ACW uniforms than these do.

Still worth $5. You did good, however it turns out.

 

[Package4]

View attachment 136476
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View attachment 136469 View attachment 136472 View attachment 136473 View attachment 136474 View attachment 136476 Does anyone know anything about these pants? I think they might be confederate artillery pants but I'm not sure. I can not find any other examples with the green and red stripe down the side. Any help would be appreciated!

I have an identical pair, they are French and not of Civil War vintage, sorry. Tell tales are the waist band ticking, buttons and button holes, in addition to the stripe going down the outer seam.

 

[Michael W.]

I have an identical pair, they are French and not of Civil War vintage, sorry. Tell tales are the waist band ticking, buttons and button holes, in addition to the stripe going down the outer seam.

The answer we were all waiting for, from the one person who would know....

 

[Package4]

View attachment 136476
View attachment 136474

View attachment 136469 View attachment 136472 View attachment 136473 View attachment 136474 View attachment 136476 Does anyone know anything about these pants? I think they might be confederate artillery pants but I'm not sure. I can not find any other examples with the green and red stripe down the side. Any help would be appreciated!

Check to see what the writing on the buttons and maybe the cinch buckle in the rear. Back pockets were extremely rare as well. The $5 price is a steal regardless, congratulations on a wonderful vintage find and welcome to the forums!