Item Details
Description
A fine pair of Civil War infantry Captain's "Smith Patent" style shoulder straps featuring light blue velvet with stamped brass false-embroidered double borders and Captain's bars. Their reverse are covered with black or dark blue cloth and thin sheet steel. Three of four brass attachment loops are intact.
Smith’s innovation was to use hollow brass frames stamped to imitate embroidered bullion for the borders of the straps, which used short pins on the reverse to secure the backing and center panels holding the rank insignia, likewise stamped in metal to imitate embroidered bullion and secured with pins. These were less expensive to produce, faster to make, and more durable than actual bullion embroidery. They also made it easier to suit the rank insignia and branch of service color of the background to the buyer. During the Civil War, Smith's patent was well-appreciated due to its practicality.
[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Insignia, Militaria, Uniforms, Shoulder Straps, Ephemera]
Smith’s innovation was to use hollow brass frames stamped to imitate embroidered bullion for the borders of the straps, which used short pins on the reverse to secure the backing and center panels holding the rank insignia, likewise stamped in metal to imitate embroidered bullion and secured with pins. These were less expensive to produce, faster to make, and more durable than actual bullion embroidery. They also made it easier to suit the rank insignia and branch of service color of the background to the buyer. During the Civil War, Smith's patent was well-appreciated due to its practicality.
[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Insignia, Militaria, Uniforms, Shoulder Straps, Ephemera]
Buyer's Premium
- 23%
[CIVIL WAR] Infantry Captain's Smith Patent Shoulder Straps
Estimate $500 - $750
Current Price (2 bids)
$175
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Item located in Columbus, OH, USOffers In-House Shipping
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DAY 2, Civil War & African American History
Columbus, OH, USA
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