Posted 7 years ago
BMichael
(6 items)
This is a model 1885 Officer Dress Coat owned by Captain F.F. Wilson, District of Columbia National Guard, circa 1900. The coat is complete with proper infantry buttons (14 on the front, 4 on the rear, 3 on each sleeve) and, giving its age, is essentially in perfect condition. It has Wilson's signature on the inside pocket label. The signature matches documents in my collection signed by Wilson as a unit commander. As seen in the second picture the collar is embroidered in bullion for the 1st DC Infantry. The shoulder boards are reproductions I had made for a Captain of Infantry (originals, if they could be found would be prohibitively expensive). The background color white was correct for Infantry until 1903.
The third image is the model 1890-1902 Helmet that would have been worn with the Dress Coat. Mine is missing the chin strap.
Lovely dress coat and helmet! The full dress helmet reminds me of the British Victorian/Edwardian (used around the same time as this helmet) Home Service Blue Cloth Spiked Helmet, you may not know what that is, but similar in design to this, just reminded me of it. Lovely items, and a nice collection you have from what I can tell so far. Very nice.
Best regards,
-Jamie