WTK:Info and Value on Uniform

[tal351]

I got this from a friend who ask me to look into selling, and am looking to get a value on it approx. and any info you can give me on it. From what I can tell, it was a Captains coat?

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Welcome aboard !

I'm sure our uniform experts will be ale to provide some details about your friend's coat.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[tal351]

Thanks! Looking forward to hearing more about it.

 

[Package4]

I got this from a friend who ask me to look into selling, and am looking to get a value on it approx. and any info you can give me on it. From what I can tell, it was a Captains coat? View attachment 113739 View attachment 113740 View attachment 113741 View attachment 113742 View attachment 113743 View attachment 113744

Unfortunately this appears to be an Indian Wars frock, but hard to tell from the pictures. The button holes appear to be machine sewn, the sleeve width seems too narrow and the rank insignia indicate post Civil War. A nice grouping but not in the price category of an ACW coat and vest.

 

[Package4]

Ha

I got this from a friend who ask me to look into selling, and am looking to get a value on it approx. and any info you can give me on it. From what I can tell, it was a Captains coat? View attachment 113739 View attachment 113740 View attachment 113741 View attachment 113742 View attachment 113743 View attachment 113744

what do the sleeve linings look like, are they striped or a solid white material?

 

[tal351]

they are a brown color inside the sleeves

 

[Package4]

they are a brown color inside the sleeves

Can you post pictures of the inside of coat and sleeve lining at armpit?

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. I agree with package4 If you will take the rank boards off and see what the backs look like IMHO that will tell help with the dating but is not definitive. Also, what are the buttons back-marked.

The button holes appear to be machine sewn, the sleeve width seems too narrow and the rank insignia indicate post Civil War.

 

[tal351]

Here are a couple more pics. The button is from the top

 

[Michael W.]

The machined button holes don't bother me that much, I have an ID'd CW frock that is the same. This looks pretty close to mine, silk green lining and brown interior sleeves. What I can't tell from your pics is the sleeves. Are they wide at the elbow, or "ballooned out"? They need to be wide, around 8 inches. Next, what is the collar length? They should be about an inch and a half. one inch or shorter collar length, probably Indian War period.

 

[UCVRelics]

Do all the buttons have the same back-mark

Here are a couple more pics. The button is from the top View attachment 113813 View attachment 113814 View attachment 113815

 

[Package4]

The machined button holes don't bother me that much, I have an ID'd CW frock that is the same. This looks pretty close to mine, silk green lining and brown interior sleeves. What I can't tell from your pics is the sleeves. Are they wide at the elbow, or "ballooned out"? They need to be wide, around 8 inches. Next, what is the collar length? They should be about an inch and a half. one inch or shorter collar length, probably Indian War period.

Collar length is very arbitrary on ACW frock coats, I have quite a few and no two collars are the same. Officers and enlisted men had collars tailored to taste and comfort.

The machined button holes don't bother me that much, I have an ID'd CW frock that is the same. This looks pretty close to mine, silk green lining and brown interior sleeves. What I can't tell from your pics is the sleeves. Are they wide at the elbow, or "ballooned out"? They need to be wide, around 8 inches. Next, what is the collar length? They should be about an inch and a half. one inch or shorter collar length, probably Indian War period.

Collar measurements are very arbitrary and in no way indicate date, I have over a dozen frocks, both enlisted and officer and no two are the same. The button holes appear to be keyhole machine which date it postwar. The buttonhole machine was not invented until 1862 and was utilized for overcoats and capes exclusively until 1864, therefore it is very rare to find a war date frock with machine stitched button holes and keyhole style are almost certainly post war.

 

[Package4]

The sleeve lining and buttons are consistent with war date frocks, but there were literally millions of buttons left over from the war and used well into the 1880s. Skirt length appears consistent with ACW. Is it hemmed at the bottom skirt?

The rank insignia appears post war, but again can be very arbitrary. Does the background material appear velvet or wool?

 

[Package4]

I got this from a friend who ask me to look into selling, and am looking to get a value on it approx. and any info you can give me on it. From what I can tell, it was a Captains coat? View attachment 113739 View attachment 113740 View attachment 113741 View attachment 113742 View attachment 113743 View attachment 113744

Where do you live, I might be able to direct you to a uniform expert in your area.

 

[Package4]

I got this from a friend who ask me to look into selling, and am looking to get a value on it approx. and any info you can give me on it. From what I can tell, it was a Captains coat? View attachment 113739 View attachment 113740 View attachment 113741 View attachment 113742 View attachment 113743 View attachment 113744

Does the collar appear hand stitched? The upper edge of ACW frock coat collars are almost always hand stitched.

Current value if ACW:

$2,500-$3,000 for coat w/o provenance of owner
$750-$800-Vest

Indian War:
$450-$700 frock
$200-$250 Vest

 

[tal351]

Here are some other pics to hopefully answer more questions. The buttons on the coat are all the same, the buttons on the vest have a different maker on them, see pics. I am by Ft. Wayne Indiana

 

[Michael W.]

If you are up near Ft. Wayne, there is a CW artifacts dealer about an hour to hour and a half from you outside of Toledo by the name of Dave Taylor. He might be able to help you out with this.

 

[Package4]

Here are some other pics to hopefully answer more questions. The buttons on the coat are all the same, the buttons on the vest have a different maker on them, see pics. I am by Ft. Wayne IndianaView attachment 113913 View attachment 113914 View attachment 113918 View attachment 113920 View attachment 113921 View attachment 113922

You are in Luck, Dave Taylor of Civil War Antiques is an hour and a half away. Dave, in my opinion, is the authority on Union uniform cloth. I have purchased many pieces from him and always satisfied; he is as honest as they come and will not steer you wrong. He has a small shop in Sylvania, OH and you can contact him:

Call 419-842-1863 and ask for Dave W Taylor, or

([email protected])

 

[tal351]

Thanks I will do that ! Thanks all for your help!