Sword sash

[Billw12280]

Ok I have another conundrum. I bought this silk sword sash and I'm trying to figure out what it is exactly. Is it a buff sash that has aged to the copper tone or is it a standard crimson sash that has faded to the copper tone?

 

[UCVRelics]

Man these are always tough without holding it as they were used for years and still are.

 

[Billw12280]

This is the first one I've ever owned, or held for that matter. I have seen several images and it looks to be authentic and is definitely older, but Civil War or post war, I cannot say. I liked the copper tone of it but I know it's not a regulation color so my 2 theories are that it either aged or faded to that color.

 

[lelliott19]

I have no idea, but cant help but notice the tight basketweave at the knot ends just above the tassels. Is there any hint of crimson in the folds at the knots? Here's one I found on a google search with wider/looser basketweave at the knots. Like I said, I really dont know anything about uniforms so dont know if that is significant, but I'd venture its much harder to make the tight basketweave like yours than the looser version on this one.

Im leaning toward buff as the original color of yours, but I dont know enough to know why.

 

[Billw12280]

I have no idea, but cant help but notice the tight basketweave at the knot ends just above the tassels. Is there any hint of crimson in the folds at the knots? Here's one I found on a google search with wider/looser basketweave at the knots. Like I said, I really dont know anything about uniforms so dont know if that is significant, but I'd venture its much harder to make the tight basketweave like yours than the looser version on this one.
View attachment 306845

Im leaning toward buff as the original color or yours, but I dont know enough to know why.

The example I have seems to be a very high quality piece, much better constructed than some of the photos of other examples I have seen. Of course this opinion is based solely on images. I honestly cannot see any crimson color anywhere within the weaved tassels. It is more significant if it is a buff sash as that was the color for General officers, I believe. The crimson sashes are much more common but it's a cool piece so I'm good with it either way.

 

[Package4]

The example I have seems to be a very high quality piece, much better constructed than some of the photos of other examples I have seen. Of course this opinion is based solely on images. I honestly cannot see any crimson color anywhere within the weaved tassels. It is more significant if it is a buff sash as that was the color for General officers, I believe. The crimson sashes are much more common but it's a cool piece so I'm good with it either way.

Originally crimson, faded/oxidized to copper or buff, there is no way for it to from buff to copper unless dyes were introduced. I have two that have similar oxidation, poor dyes and poor storage. Oxidation will affect all areas and has nothing to do with UV, for example the black thread used to sew sack coats will now appear light brown even in sealed examples that have never seen the light.

 

[Billw12280]

Originally crimson, faded/oxidized to copper or buff, there is no way for it to from buff to copper unless dyes were introduced. I have two that have similar oxidation, poor dyes and poor storage. Oxidation will affect all areas and has nothing to do with UV, for example the black thread used to sew sack coats will now appear light brown even in sealed examples that have never seen the light.

Awesome, thank you for clearing it up for us @Package4! Would you say it is Civil War or post war?

 

[Package4]

Awesome, thank you for clearing it up for us @Package4! Would you say it is Civil War or post war?

Looks ACW to me and a very nice specimen.

 

[Billw12280]

Looks ACW to me and a very nice specimen.

Sweet! As always, thanks again @Package4.