Uniform cuff

[ramkuma]

Anyone seen this type of cuff before?

 

[major bill]

Yes. It was a common cuff type for per War militia units for both coatees and frock coats. These originally were used to protect the split where the sleeve could be opened. I have seen it referred to as an English cuff. I have seen them called by other names by people who study uniforms.

Often this had a color patch sewn on which was the same as the coat lining or regimental color and was then called a "flash". Mexican-American coatees had false button hole lace on these (originally the lace protected the button hole from fraying).

 

[captaindrew]

Early war Georgia state produced jackets and coats often had similar cuff trim in black.

 

[ramkuma]

Early war Georgia state produced jackets and coats often had similar cuff trim in black.

View attachment 443175

Thanks. Early Wisconsin too, with the grey uniform. This is 8th Wis.

 

[ramkuma]

Yes. It was a common cuff type for per War militia units for both coatees and frock coats. These originally were used to protect the split where the sleeve could be opened. I have seen it referred to as an English cuff. I have seen them called by other names by people who study uniforms.

Often this had a color patch sewn on which was the same as the coat lining or regimental color and was then called a "flash". Mexican-American coatees had false button hole lace on these (originally the lace protected the button hole from fraying).

So you think this may be pre-War? North or South?

 

[captaindrew]

So you think this may be pre-War? North or South?

I would post a picture of the complete uniform for a better guess. It was a popular trim design of the period, could've been north or south.

 

[ramkuma]

I would post a picture of the complete uniform for a better guess. It was a popular trim design of the period, could've been north or south.

 

[major bill]

So you think this may be pre-War? North or South?

The lack of decorations would make me think it was more likely an early War item. Pre War militias typically would have wanted something a bit more fancy so would have added a color flap, color piping along the edge, or button hole lace.

When units provided their own uniforms at the start of the War, the men wanted a "military" uniform. They had seen flaps on the cuffs of pre War militia companies and associated flaps on the sleeve cuffs as part of what they saw as a miliary coat or jacket.

Some flaps were functional and one could unbutton them to help get their hands through a tight fitting sleeve. Others would have simply been a piece of cloth sewn on and non functional buttons to imitate a real flap.

The inverted "V" seen on Union frock coats are often referred to as Polish cuffs. At one time these were functional and the cuffs could be turned down to keep the hands warm. The piping prevented fraying and wear on the edge of the turn down cuff. The point on the functional Polish cuffs covered the outside of the hands but allowed the fingers and thumb to remain uncovered so the soldier could use their weapons. By the start of the Civil War few or almost no Polish could actually turn down. Note that even today Army officers have lace where the top of turn down cuffs would be.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I'd imagine cuffs like that would have been somewhat common on Confederate officer uniforms, throughout the war. Since they were typically custom made, they would often carry some of the wearer's personal style and flair.