Odd Virginia uniform feature.

[major bill]

This is a well known image of a member of the 6th Virginia. Note the odd "wings" on his shoulders. These were seen on European uniforms and became very common in Italy and other nations in the late 1800s. The "wings" were intended to help keep straps from sliding of the shoulders.

However, I have not seen them being used by many Civil War era US soldiers of either the North or South. I was wonder if others had seem them used during the Civil War.

 

[Cpl. Smith]

As far as I know they were only used by the old dominion rifles. However as per normal I may be and probably is wrong. I however, do like this uniform.