Richmond Depot Jackets

[Andrew Kasmar]

Hi,

I have been going through several patterns and kits, and I can not seem to get a clear answer. Should shoulder straps have a button hole or should they be sewn to the jacket along with the button, making them non-functional. I know some commutation jackets have button holes, but I am not sure if Richmond Depots shell jackets type 1 and 2 have button holes.

Andrew Kasmar

4th Missouri Company E

[Lucky]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

This might help.

http://www.military-historians.org/company/journal/confederate/confederate-1.htm

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

Hi,

Thanks for the link.

Andrew Kasmar

[Guy Gane III]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

Andrew,

Some soldiers would cut off the epaulettes... check out this photo.


Cheers,

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

Guy,

Cool pics...do you mind sharing where this coat is on display?

Note: Per Les Jenson's classification of Richmond Depot Jackets, this does not appear to purely fit those descriptions.

Evidence of Colar Trim
Evidence of Cuff Trim

Am I wrong in thinking this jacket has a "Western-manufactured" feel to it...

[Guy Gane III]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

All that I am willing to say is that it is located in Pennsylvania.

I was told that if I was to show any pictures, to NOT mention where it was from. I wish to honor my promise.

A little day tripping East of Gettysburg may lead you to this wonderful collection. Happy hunting... :wink_smil

Cheers,

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

Hi,

Do any of you know why a soldier might cut off his shoulder straps?

Andrew Kasmar

4th Missouri Company E

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

Hallo!

Although I cannot see the back or sides for a better indication of pattern pieces, IMHO, it would seem to me to fall under the Jensen RDII typology.

It may sound odd, but I have wondered about soldiers removing the shoulder tabs or "straps" from their jackets. Not that we do not have several surviving specimens where it had been done, but rather...

Yes, it can be a pain to have to button and unbutton the tab to pass belts under. But on a jacket where the tabs are not functional, the belt or belts go OVER the strap.
Jensen asserts that the one of the reasons that the RDIII omitted shoulder and belt straps was because of the practice of cutting them off RDII's.
However, it may be possible that since the production of RDII and RDIII jackets overlapped, that what we are lookng at is possibly a stylistic change to save material and labor in deleting the straps- and RD II's already made with straps were modified to appear more "uniform" with the RDIII issuance's?
(Although, some of the RDII's with removed shoulder straps stil have their belt straps in tact...)

Curt

[61' reb]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

Hi Andrew! I purchased a Richmond Depot Jacket a few years ago from Servants in Gettysburg, Pa. The epaulettes have a small hole cut in the end were a button would go, just large enough for the eye on the back of the button to go through so you can sew the button on. I thought it was weird that the epaulettes were non functional, but i am satisfied with the product. Hope this helps some.

[Tyler Gibson]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

as to removing the eppauletts...

[roundshot]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

I believe the torn sholder straps on the Ft. Mahone photo above (artilleryman?)were from souvenir hunters cutting the straps vs. being done by the wearer. Look closely and you will see this.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

The jacket with the epaulet removed is a P-Tait. This photo was discussed in great detail on the forum some time ago. If I remember correctly all the jacket buttons have also been removed. These high quality buttons were presumably cut off by souvenir seeking Union Soldiers. Based on the location and circumstances under which the picture was taken, I would not assume the epaulet was removed by the wearer but by the same Yankees that cut off the buttons.

Is the other picture also on the LOC web? I would like to take a look at the vest buttons.

[Joe Walker]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

I have inspected one nice RD Type II (BGK) that had epps, but no button holes. They were tacked down to the coat-

Joe Walker

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

Hi,

Thanks again for all the good information.

Andrew Kasmar

[CJDaley]

Re: Richmond Depot Jackets

All that I am willing to say is that it is located in Pennsylvania.

I was told that if I was to show any pictures, to NOT mention where it was from. I wish to honor my promise.

A little day tripping East of Gettysburg may lead you to this wonderful collection. Happy hunting... :wink_smil

Cheers,

I have seen this jacket as well Guy. However, most historians and collectors who've look at it are suspect of it's provenance. Unless the owner can provide us with a clear history behind this jacket, I would recommend to the AC forums that we not use it as an example of a Civil War era garment.