Museum Quality original Indian tanned Frontiersman Shirt.

Home > One-of-a-Kinds ~ Antique and Collectibles > Archives - Men's Sold > Sold- Leather Goods > z Sold A truly rare find: Original Indian Wars Cavalry Officers brain tanned elk hide coat and trousers.

z Sold A truly rare find: Original Indian Wars Cavalry Officers brain tanned elk hide coat and trousers.

RJT#6346 -

This is an original, antique, smoke colored, Indian tanned elk hide CAVALRY OFFICE BUCKSKIN FIELD COAT and TROUSERS. It is machine sewn with beautiful fine stitches. The buck tanned elk is soft and flexible for the most part. The tops of the shoulders on the coat are a bit stiff but show no rips or tears. I believe it was left in the rain at some time. The button holes are cut with machine stitch around and most other stitching was done by machine. When I found this great outfit, most of the original buttons were missing. I did however find 5 Indian War period buttons still attached. (see the inset button pictures). Three 5/8 inch across cuff buttons were marked “THOS G. HOOD. PHIL (Philadelphia)” on the back. One tunic button was marked " HORSTMANN BROS & CO. PHIL. (Philadelphia)" These are rare original old Indian wars US Army enlisted brass eagle buttons. The jacket and trousers show no signs of the buttons being sewn on with thread, so these buttons are likely the kind of buttons that were original used on these garments. As to the rest of the buttons I have replaced them with good quality reproductions. This officers frontier outfit was made between 1870 to 1880 and likely made by uniform company in the east. The stitching is in good shape for the age and I found no loose stitches. How do I know it is a Cavalry officers Coat? Well, 1st, there is the buttons I have found attached. (see photos) 2nd, None of the buttons were ever sewn on. They were attached by a cotter pin, that's how the military does it. (see photos) 3rd, Look at the tops of the shoulders, you will see four small slits to allow the attachment of officers shoulder boards. Now as to the construction and styling. All seams are welted (a mark of quality workmanship) The trousers have fine cut fringe starting at the waist band and down to the bottom of the leg. The fringe at the waists measures 2 3/4 inch and at the bottom the leg it measures 4 1/4 inches. There are 6 brass Eagle buttons around the waist to accommodate suspenders.

On the front top of each leg is a very large pocket with 3 1/4 inch fringe. These pockets are 9 inch deep and have a 5 inch opening at the top and widens to 6 inches at the bottom. That is a pocket that is perfect for a man on horse back to carry item that he does not want to loose while riding. It is also perfect to use as a temporary holster for his COLT MODEL 1873 ARMY with a 7 1/2 inch barrel. The waist measurement is 32 inches and the inseam is 28 inches. The coat is a classic with a striking display of fine cut fringe. The fringe on the back of the sleeve starting at the shoulder is 3 1/2 inches long a running down to the wrist it is 4 3/4 inches long. A straight seam crossed the back at the shoulders has 2 3/4 inches long fringe. Two seams with inset welt fringe starts at the shoulders and narrows to the waist like that of a man’s fancy frock coat and have fringe of 4 1/2 inches long. Around the bottom or the coat the fringe is about 4 1/2 inches long. There are right and left breast pockets of about 5 X 5 inches square with 2 inch fringe. The collar has 2 inch fringe and the front buttons with 5 Indian War Eagle brass buttons.

Rare to find as these were often used up. Great for a museum, cowboy room antique gun display. From the real west. We always answer questions and entertain offers.

(short term lay-a-way considered)

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