Schuylkill Arsenal Footman's Trousers

[Andrew Kasmar]

Hi,

When Schuylkill Arsenal made footman's trousers out of dark blue cloth before the war, did they ever make any with mule ear pockets? I know Schuylkill Arsenal and J.T. Martin made some trousers with these type of pockets out of sky blue kesery, during the war. But I am not sure if they used these types of pockets before the war. Any help would be great. Thanks

[tpallas]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Footman's Trousers

Mule ear pockets were called for by USMC regs, made by SA and others.

[7thNJcoA]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Footman's Trousers

I can tell you that in 1859 the US Marines were wearing Mule Eared Pockets. I have seen a few trousers at the Marine Corps Museum and one pair worn during the John Brown Raid by a Marine had Mule ear pockets. As for the Uniform during the war, many Marines continued to be issued the Mule Ear pockets up until early 1862. The War had placed a big emphasis on uniformity for ease in production so the Marines started to wear the standard Infantry sky blue trouser. As for Volunteer and Regulars I have not found any information. I have been researching my Marine impression for two years and have found out some fasinating detail on uniforms from 1859-1865

[7thNJcoA]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Footman's Trousers

I have some great Repro Trousers and a Full Dress Frock if you would like some photos. If you want any sources let me know I can give you the books I read.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Footman's Trousers

Hi,

I have never researched the USMC uniforms during the Civil War, but I have seen original SA trousers with mule ear pockets issued to infantry. The main reason I ask this, is because I am making a pair of dark blue trousers, for my early war impression, and I was not sure if I should use the mule ear pattern or the standard.

[AZReenactor]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Footman's Trousers

I saw a Marine Frock and Trousers that Don Smith made recently that was just fantastic. Compared to the standard infantry trousers the marine trousers seemed exceedingly nice and did have mule ear (or frog mouthed) pockets.

[D F Smith Historic]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Footman's Trousers

Hi Andrew,

To answer your question, As far as I know the Dark Blue Trousers were made in general with the side seam pockets. The majority of images I have seen of soldiers of the regular army from 1854-58 show side seam pockets on the dark blue trousers . Now that being said, it is not out of the realm of possibility a soldier had his trouser pockets modified.

I am not saying that "mule ear" or "frog mouth" pockets on the Dark Blue trousers did not exist. It seems though that the vast majority have side seam pockets

I hope this helps


Don S

This was done to army clothing pre war , war time and post war.

[D F Smith Historic]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Footman's Trousers

Mule ear pockets were called for by USMC regs, made by SA and others.

Hi Mr. Pallas,

Please expand on your statement that SA made Trousers for the USMC.

It is known that USMC trousers in general follow the Army pattern, but there are some segnificand differences in the patters in the pockets , watch pocket and that the back of the USMC trouser had a back belt.

All the best

Don S

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Footman's Trousers

Hi,

Thanks for the information on the dark blue trousers.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Footman's Trousers

Hi,

The trousers I am talking about do not look like the USMC ones. The infantry ones, have more rounded pockets, the pockets are not buttoned, they do not have a buckle in the back, they have a watch pocket, and have tin paper back buttons. Here is a picture of a reproduction of one from W,W, and Company ( I have pictures of the original that it is based off of, but can not post them).

[jschw90]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Footman's Trousers

I was also interested in this for the same reason as you Andrew. The only dark blue mule ear trowsers that I can find are on page 107 of the Union EOG, but they are cavalry trowsers.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Schuylkill Arsenal Footman's Trousers

Hi,

I never noticed them before. There is also a pair of sky blue mounted trousers with mule ear pockets on page 108 of EOG. On page 127 there is a pair of dark blue trousers that belonged to Sgt. Abraham Ryerson of the 5th New York Light Artillery, and these also have mule ear pockets. Another interesting thing about Abraham's trousers, is that they have a buckle back. On page 156 and 157 there are two pairs of trousers with mule ear pockets. One is made out of sky blue kesery with buckle back (mounted trousers) and, the other is made out of dark blue kesery (infantry trousers).