Original Civil War Federal Issue Infantry Overcoat For Sale

Here’s a very nice displaying example of one of the most visually appealing issue uniforms of the Civil War- the Infantry issue overcoat. This coat is positively original to the period and guaranteed as such. This is the real deal.

All buttons including the two on the adjustment belt and the six on the cape appear original to the coat and bear classic wartime Scovill backmarks. All appear sewn with the original thread.

The coat features a combination of treadle machine sewing with hand done buttonholes, tacking and other details mostly seen on the interior. Cuffs are sewn up at two points each and don’t fold down, possibly a soldier modification.

There is scattered mothing with some minor holes and thin spots (mostly visible using a flashlight behind the material); the stitching is generally very strong with only minor separations such as seen on the top edge of the collar. The wool retains some original knap.

Photographing blue wool is no easy task. The true color of the coat is closer to the first three pictures with more of a greenish-grey hue. The kersey weave wool isn’t the regulation sky blue but a darker blue; similar color coats are not infrequently seen in period photographs and may represent a state issue or an early war garment. In the first couple years of the war there was a lack of proper sky blue wool and the inspectors were passing almost anything when it came to overcoats as they were in short supply.

The coat retains no body or sleeve lining and no evidence there ever was one. If it was removed in the field (occasionally done by soldiers who found 4 layers of wool too warm) if was done carefully leaving no traces behind. Same for the absent sleeve linings; if removed in the field there is no evidence of them remaining. Perhaps the coat was manufactured as an unlined garment.