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MODEL 1885 UNIFORM GREAT COAT – VERY ATTRACTIVE
FRONTIER UNIFORM ITEM FROM THE INDIAN WAR PERIOD:
A true veteran of the Frontier Indian Wars Army, this
original Model 1885 Overcoat, also known during the
period as a Greatcoat, is complete with the correct
detachable lined cape. Much of the equipment adopted by
the army during this period were subject to changes and
modifications as the initial patterns were subjected to
trials and improvements were suggested, until the powers
to be finally settled on the finished project. Such was
the case with the Overcoat of this era. Generally based
on the pattern of the Model 1883 Overcoat, this pattern,
known as the Model 1885 Overcoat, was established under
the direction of the Quartermaster Department Uniform
Specification No. 148, adopted on May 28, 1885.
In
addition to a number of minor changes, the most obvious
difference was the increase of the number of buttons on
the double-breasted front of the coat from five pairs to
six pairs of buttons. The cape, a feature of US Army
overcoats from the antebellum period, continued with
this pattern, however as introduced in some of the
earlier models, this cape is attached with a series of
hook and eyes under the collar that permitted the
soldier to remove the cape when the additional warmth
and protection was not required. The cape, as detailed
in the specifications, is lined with dark blue wool
shirting or flannel, indicating this coat was issued to
a soldier in the Infantry, as the color of the lining
was consistent with the color of the particular arm of
the service to which the soldier was assigned – red for
Artillery, yellow for Cavalry, and so on. The sleeve
no longer had a cuff, rather is finished with a double
line of stitching. There is a single breast pocket on
the inside left edge of the coat body which is lined
with the same dark blue wool flannel as the cape. The
rear of the coat is split to approximately knee height
to allow room for the soldier’s stride. To further
facilitate the soldier’s movement, both front, bottom
edges of the coat are fitted with hooks and there are
matching thread loops sewn to the outside front of the
coat body, allowing the front corners to be turned up
and secured out of the way to allow the soldier a full
stride when marching – a feature believed to have been
adopted from the French Army.
Condition: This coat presents very well, still retains
its shape and body, and looks for all intent and
purposes as if it were just hung up by a soldier coming
in from a long winter night on guard duty. All of the
buttons are present on the front of the coat and the
cape, and all are original. All of the hooks and eyes
that attach the cape, secure the collar at the throat
and at the bottom front edge are present and intact.
There were no cuff buttons on these coats. The material
is in very good to excellent condition, being neither
rotted nor torn, nor showing any severe soiling, stains
or fading. The wool still retains the “live”, soft
feeling and those of you familiar with old wool know
that this old material often has a “hardened” texture
to the surface.
There are a few small
scattered moth holes, the worst of which is shown in the
photograph below and is located on the bottom corner at
the front edge of the coat body. There is a repair to
the lining at the bottom of coat, on the inside of the
rear of the coat, also shown below in the photos. There
is a small wear area to the cotton jean lining, inside
of the right sleeve, just above the cuff. The lining on
the body and the cape is intact and has not torn loose.
All of the seams and stitching is intact and the coat is
not fragile in any way. The interior of the sleeves are
lined with a beige cotton jean material. Both sleeves
are marked with a hand written “PB” in what appears to
be blue tailor chalk, perhaps the soldier’s initials or
those of the tailor or inspector. There are no
Quartermaster Depot or contractor’s ink stamps that I
could find.
I
have indicated all the above points of wear to provide
an honest description, however overall the wear that is
present is minimal, and this overcoat is still a very
attractive specimen and one that is not commonly
encountered. Indian War period uniform pieces are
becoming increasingly difficult to find on the market,
particularly examples of this quality that have not been
used to destruction or subjected to the ravages of time
in poor storage. This Model 1885 Overcoat would
make a dramatic back drop for a Frontier army weapon and
accoutrement display. SOLD
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