Which jacket is this?

[Orr's Rifles]

This is my Great-Great-Great Grandfather. He was in the 22nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry, and he started as a Corporal and ended as a 1st Lieutenant. His regiment fought in battles such as Secessionville, Boonsboro, Sharpsburg (he didn't fight there because he was wounded at Boonsboro), Kinston, Jackson, Charleston Harbor, back to Virginia with Petersburg, and finally he was surrendered at Appomattox. The 22nd was transferred through many armies such as the Army of Northern Virginia, the Department of SC, GA, and FL, the Department of the West, and the department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia. I'm not sure when this photo was taken so I don't know rank he was or what Army he was in at the time, but I want to know is what jacket is he wearing in this photo. Unfortunately his beard covers his collar, but I was hoping someone may recognize the jacket. I think it might be a frock because of the way it fits on him and the buttons are close together, but I'm not sure. Basically I just want to know if this is a frock or a shell, and is it from a specific depot or is this just a commutation? Thank you.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[RedRover]

This is my Great-Great-Great Grandfather. He was in the 22nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry, and he started as a Corporal and ended as a 1st Lieutenant. His regiment fought in battles such as Secessionville, Boonsboro, Sharpsburg (he didn't fight there because he was wounded at Boonsboro), Kinston, Jackson, Charleston Harbor, back to Virginia with Petersburg, and finally he was surrendered at Appomattox. The 22nd was transferred through many armies such as the Army of Northern Virginia, the Department of SC, GA, and FL, the Department of the West, and the department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia. I'm not sure when this photo was taken so I don't know rank he was or what Army he was in at the time, but I want to know is what jacket is he wearing in this photo. Unfortunately his beard covers his collar, but I was hoping someone may recognize the jacket. I think it might be a frock because of the way it fits on him and the buttons are close together, but I'm not sure. Basically I just want to know if this is a frock or a shell, and is it from a specific depot or is this just a commutation? Thank you.

Doesn't seem possible to say by the photograph. But it is probably gray. No way to tell if it is a frock coat or a jacket really.

The image perhaps made about the time of his enlistment.

In the first years of the war, the Confederate army paid a commutation for clothing, per soldier. This could be pooled by the officers to buy uniforms for their companies or regiments, at least in 1861 before shortages and inflation took effect. There were tailors at Charleston who cut out uniforms, and to save money, ladies were encouraged to volunteer to sew them up... From August, 1861...

Near the close of 1861 the 17th Regiment was provided with a uniform, which included jackets in lieu of uniform frock coats, described by Captain Edwards of that regiment of Evans' Brigade:

Arthur P. Ford of Manigault's battalion of Artillery at Charleston noted of his outfits's outfits under the commutation system...

In October, 1862 a Confederate Act eliminated the payment of commutation funds to the soldiers to buy their own uniforms, and commenced large scale production of cheap gray jackets etc. at the various "clothing bureau" facilities like Richmond, Augusta, and eventually even at Charleston.

The Confederate Army did not distinguish between the jackets of these various bureaus, though there were slight differences, but issued garments as necessary, and when available.

Images of Confederate soldiers at Charleston in 1863:

 

[jepridgen]

I'd say that was a solid assessment. That was almost certainly taken early in the war while he was still enlisted. Given he was stationed near Charleston, he very well might have worn the same clothing detailed above from similar sources. Too bad he didn't spring for a full length portrait that would show the rest. I'm sure he figured everyone back home knew what kind of coat or jacket he had.

 

[RetiredCanuck]

Look at his right shoulder. The shadow line sure looks like an epaulette. If that's the case, this should be a shell jacket.
But the shadow on the left half makes it harder to see if there is one there as well.
So it's a bit hard to nail down unfortunately

 

[Mississippian1861]

Look at his right shoulder. The shadow line sure looks like an epaulette. If that's the case, this should be a shell jacket.
But the shadow on the left half makes it harder to see if there is one there as well.
So it's a bit hard to nail down unfortunately

There were quite a few frocks that had epaulets as well.