US Civil War Cavalry Enlisted Shell Jacket, Restored, Size 36
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $795.00

Original era manufacture. Classic waist length coat worn by enlisted members of the US Cavalry prior to and during the American Civil War, seeing limited service postwar in the American West. Large numbers of these coats were produced during the Civil War years, with many of the smaller sizes then sold as surplus afterwards, purchased by firms like Bannerman's and W. Stokes Kirk. These coats remained in their inventory well into the 1950's being advertised as inexpensive band uniforms for the astounding price of $2.50! Our example presented here was likely never issued, lying for years in a surplus storehouse back East. At some point in time the right sleeve was removed, perhaps to repair another coat, who knows. However someone came to the coat's rescue, providing a very nicely executed replacement sleeve in a close matching color with correct worsted wool trim. All of the original buttons remain on the coat, with the original full body and left sleeve lining intact. The colors are strong, free of stains, and the dark yellow trim is intact. There is an open seam on the left shoulder, with some mothing on the back as shown. This handsome old coat makes a great display piece and the color match of the replacement sleeve is very close.