US 1902 Uniform Breast Cords

These breast cords were originally for the US Model 1902 enlisted men’s dress coat (because I don’t have one, I’ve arranged the cords on my 1884 tunic in the first photo). The cords were added to change a soldier’s less fancy “dress uniform” into the prescribed “full dress uniform”. Breast cords came in branch colors, and mine is infantry blue. The last photo shows a medical sergeant wearing his cords in his branch colors – white cords, “waffles” and tassels with maroon knot and slides.

The cords were officially discontinued in 1917, but some soldiers on ceremonial duties continued to wear them for decades afterwards. This particular set of cords came from old surplus stock once belonging to Bannerman & Sons. They show no sign of wear, and I believe they were never issued.