INDIAN WARS, PATTERN 1851, LIEUTENANT COLONEL, CAVALRY, SHOULDER STRAPS, SET

Matched Set.

These are very desirable, and quite rare, matched pairs of Officer's Pattern 1851 Shoulder Straps.  Introduced before the Civil War, this same pattern was worn by officers on their garrison and field uniforms through the end of the 19th Century, in the halls of the War Department and the parade fields of the frontier forts alike, and on the battlefields of Gettysburg, the Little Big Horn, and on San Juan Hill.   

Pattern 1851 Officer Shoulder Straps are more often found as single pieces that were separated through the years.  Whether found as singles or pairs, more often than not they are mismatched and show considerable wear and aging.  These are particularly nice matched pairs, together since the officers wore them, which would display very well on their own, or would be a valuable upgrade for a uniform coat lacking the insignia.

This set of shoulder boards is truly a work of art. It is an upmarket bullion set for an officer and features gold Oak Leaf’s at each end, indicating the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel. The color inside the border is yellow, which was the color used to indicate Cavalry during the Civil War era and beyond. These boards are carefully hand-embroidered using wool fabric and bullion thread, which surrounds a slightly vaulted stiff core. The attention to detail is truly impressive, with every stitch expertly crafted to create a stunning and intricate design.

Measuring 4” x 1 ¾”, these boards are just over 1/4" thick, making them a substantial and impressive addition to any uniform. While there is some very light moth damage to the one of the straps, and overall oxidation, these boards still present beautifully with a lovely patina. They are a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of their maker, and a wonderful example of the high-quality insignia that was worn during the Indian Wars era. Whether you are a collector or simply appreciate history, these boards are a must-have for any enthusiast.

In the military before the twentieth century, the hierarchy was visually demonstrated through the use of epaulets and shoulder straps. Epaulets, which originated from the French word for shoulder, "epaule", began as cloth straps that were worn on the shoulders to keep shoulder sashes and belts in place. Another story suggests that they were initially designed as shoulder armor. As time went on, epaulets became more elaborate, especially for British and French officers during the Revolutionary War. These officers wore epaulets made of gold or silver, which extended from the collar to the point of the shoulder, with heavy fringes of gold or silver wire. Some people even described them as resembling fancy hair brushes. Due to their high cost, these epaulets were made of gold or silver, sometimes even solid metal, and other times plated. However, sergeants and other enlisted men wore epaulets of cheaper materials, such as cloth or cheaper metals. Army officers started wearing gold or silver epaulets in 1780, during the Revolutionary War until 1872, mainly on their dress uniforms. Army generals wore epaulets until the early twentieth century, while Navy officers continued to wear them until just before World War II for full dress uniforms. Marine officers wore epaulets on their special full dress uniforms until 1922.

These will be shipped with full insurance and Adult Signature upon delivery.