Hospital corps emblem

[johnkris]

This is probably post civil war but take a look. Pretty sure the emblem wasn't in use until after the civil war.

 

[Rhea Cole]

It is possible that your pin is a Civil War corps badge. The 5th & 19th corps are candidates.

It is not a Civil War medical corps badge.

Link:

“They Did Not Seem to Respect It Much”: Insignia and Medical Evacuation

Read about the various ways ambulance corps members during the Civil War tried to identify themselves with mixed results.

www.civilwarmed.org

The most likely answer is that your Maltese cross is a Spanish American War medical corps pin.

Link:

Corps Badges, 1898

Corp Badges of the Spanish American War

www.spanamwar.com

History of the eight pointed Maltise cross:

Link:

Maltese Cross Meaning : Cross of Saint John

Today's subject is one of the most popular symbols of the orders of knighthood. We will examine together in detail the Maltese Cross Meaning, its history and origins and its various uses that have been made a long time ago and nowadays.

templar-cross.com

 

[johnkris]

Yeah. Actually, that was my initial hope that it was a corps badge but it's exactly the design of a 19th century hospital corps emblem. And seems to me the fake bullion look was a late 19th-early 20th century thing.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Yeah. Actually, that was my initial hope that it was a corps badge but it's exactly the design of a 19th century hospital corps emblem. And seems to me the fake bullion look was a late 19th-early 20th century thing.

There are a number of other possibilities, firemen, for example.

 

[johnkris]

That's possible.

 

[Salterr]

This is probably post civil war but take a look. Pretty sure the emblem wasn't in use until after the civil war.

View attachment 530386

View attachment 530387

This is the 1902 pattern shape for the medical corps. Here's one as collar insignia on a pre ww1 coat

 

[Rhea Cole]

This is the 1902 pattern shape for the medical corps. Here's one as collar insignia on a pre ww1 coatView attachment 530429

So, the pin mimics the embroidery pattern of the collar insignia. Isn't that an interesting design element?

So is this an official or unofficial uniform object?

 

[johnkris]

This is the 1902 pattern shape for the medical corps. Here's one as collar insignia on a pre ww1 coatView attachment 530429

The 1902 medical corps emblem is the caduceus.

 

[johnkris]

This is the 1902 pattern shape for the medical corps. Here's one as collar insignia on a pre ww1 coatView attachment 530429

And shame on you for not padding your hangers. https://www.universityproducts.com/padded-hangers.html

 

[4thMichigan]

As Rhea Cole mentioned previously, the shape is comparable to those emblems worn by some companies of fireman, as well as some fraternal organizations dating back to, and even prior to, the Civil War. This (cropped) image of three soldiers from the Fourth Michigan Infantry (probably taken in the fall of 1861), shows the private in the center wearing a brass belt plate with an identically shaped cross in its center. I know it to be the same styled cross and a brass belt plate, because I've seen at least two examples of it for sale over the years. One of the companies from the 4th Michigan had recruits that had been firemen in Detroit at the time of their enlistment, so this soldier could have been one of them.

 

[Rhea Cole]

As Rhea Cole mentioned previously, the shape is comparable to those emblems worn by some companies of fireman, as well as some fraternal organizations dating back to, and even prior to, the Civil War. This (cropped) image of three soldiers from the Fourth Michigan Infantry (probably taken in the fall of 1861), shows a private wearing in the center wearing a brass belt plate with an identically shaped cross in its center. I know it to be the same styled cross and a brass belt plate, because I've seen at least two examples of it for sale over the years. One of the companies from the 4th Michigan had recruits that had been firemen in Detroit at the time of their enlistment, so this soldier could have been one of them.

View attachment 530458

Sharp eyes!

 

[4thMichigan]

Here is an image of one of these belt plates that I had mentioned previously. The wide tongue on the plate would suggest that it is a post war example.

 

[johnkris]

As Rhea Cole mentioned previously, the shape is comparable to those emblems worn by some companies of fireman, as well as some fraternal organizations dating back to, and even prior to, the Civil War. This (cropped) image of three soldiers from the Fourth Michigan Infantry (probably taken in the fall of 1861), shows the private in the center wearing a brass belt plate with an identically shaped cross in its center. I know it to be the same styled cross and a brass belt plate, because I've seen at least two examples of it for sale over the years. One of the companies from the 4th Michigan had recruits that had been firemen in Detroit at the time of their enlistment, so this soldier could have been one of them.

View attachment 530458

But was the fake bullion style of insignia used during the Civil War period? Seems very turn of the 20th century to me.

 

[Salterr]

And shame on you for not padding your hangers. https://www.universityproducts.com/padded-hangers.html

It's not mine but I would never!!! Haha

 

[4thMichigan]

But was the fake bullion style of insignia used during the Civil War period? Seems very turn of the 20th century to me.

My post was in regard to the shape of the cross that was mentioned and not about the surface design. That being said, I agree with your point about it more likely being turn of the century.

 

[Salterr]

But was the fake bullion style of insignia used during the Civil War period? Seems very turn of the 20th century to me.

False embroidered was used by officers

The 1902 medical corps emblem is the caduceus.

my apology, that style is span am era so
Pre 1902 regulations. The sleeve insignia of that time period also reflects that design

 

[johnkris]

Yeah, Spanish American period was my guess. Already on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/356320623657

 

[Salterr]

So, the pin mimics the embroidery pattern of the collar insignia. Isn't that an interesting design element?

So is this an official or unofficial uniform object?

It would be official as far as the emblem goes for span am insignia for the hospital steward. @johnkris made the correct statement of the 1902 emblem being the caduceus for the medical corps. The original insignia in question that I posted a coat picture for him of is on a span am coat. The caduceus was also used in the civil war and pre war as well on the half chevron of the hospital steward as well