Overcoat pic - EBay

[markj]

Here's a nice pic of the "Overcoat Gang" wearing their nice, newly issued overcoats.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Great-Condition-Antique-Civil-War-Soldier-Ambrotype_W0QQitemZ220187968867QQihZ012QQcategoryZ13704QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I've also included a scan from the listing for posterity.

Yours, &c.,

Mark Jaeger

[Rmhisteach]

Re: Overcoat pic - EBay

Mark ,

It looks like they have Bugles on the kepis. I thought a first that they were troopers, Guess Not.

RM

[Michael Comer]

Re: Overcoat pic - EBay

Yeah, those collars look they are mounted overcoats. I'm personally not sure what that cap brass is - I can't really tell. They look kind of like infantry bugles but the one on the right's cap badge doesn't really look like it to me.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Overcoat pic - EBay

Infantrymen.

[marine05]

Re: Overcoat pic - EBay

Also, as I am not entirely sure that the pattern many of us wear is 100% correct, it appears that they have pockets in their great coats. Look at the second from left and on the third from left it looks like a seam line outlining a pocket.

[FlatLandFed]

Re: Overcoat pic - EBay

Also note the length of sleeves -- thought the idea was to have a "cuff" to roll down to keep hands warm(er).
Still look pretty snappy in their new coats -- wish I were as young and fit as the men in this photo.
Regards,
Paul Hadley

[Spewy]

Re: Overcoat pic - EBay

These appear to be single breasted Dismounted Pattern Coats with the "stand-up" collars rolled down for a more "jaunty" appearance. The cape and collar lengths are a dead give away. Mounted pattern coats have a much longer cape and a seven to eight inch collar verses the three and a half or so inch collar on the dismounted one. If you look closely you can clearly make out at least two Infantry bugles. Federal Over Coats of both patterns were issued without pockets of any kind but once in the hands of the individual soldier anything is possible. Great picture thanks for posting it.

[Greg Renault]

Re: Overcoat pic - EBay

I installed three pockets in my overcoat right away, including a nice big one exactly where that guy appears to have put his, probably for similar reasons. Good for keeping the scarf & mitts out of the way, holding reading material, or "necessary paper" when on picket.