Unusual Fed belt

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

From a 1/6 ambrotype on antiquephotographics.com:


Metal grommets in the belt adjustment holes? Painted cloth with stitched eyelets?

Looks like a better-than-issue grade frock, too.

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

Looks like metal grommets to me. Nice find! Hey, they had them on shoe string holes, why not belt adjustment holes.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

Its hard to tell what its made of. Before I suspected painted cloth, I would think it would be folder leather over buckram, perhaps. I guess a grommet would certainly be useful, as those hooks can be rough.

Coat looks a smidge large on him, based on how far it comes down on his hand.

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

How about a Rifleman's belt, groments to hook those knapsack straps?

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

Riflemans belts were of a different design. There were brass pieces attached on the sides of the belt where the knapsack straps attached. Though I guess this could be a design I've never seen.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

Three buttons on the cuff and no piping...the frock looks like either a private purchase or a state issue to me. The buttons look wide and flat...certainly not general service eagle buttons and probably state buttons. But the belt is indeed the most interesting feature.

Nice find!

Paul McKee

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

Am I the only one who's getting a "painted cloth vibe" from the cartridge box sling, too?

[tsgalloway]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

I agree with Marc...

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

You know, that sling certainly does look like painted cloth to me. Any research out there in regards to federal state troops being issued painted cloth accouterments, or at least belts and straps in this case?

[Brandon Ledvina]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

I also get that painted cloth feel. It also looks like it bends ever so slightly in a few spots unlike leather would do. I would also guess brass grommets. Although its hard to tell on both. Great pic!

[Brandon]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

If you save the picture and zoom in on the buttons you can make out the eagles on the buttons along the front. The frock has some weird construction. No piping, bellowed sleeves, buttons on cuffs, taller collar, and it looks liek there is no interfacing in the collar. The sling looks like painted cloth, it looks at though it is folded so that the seam runs down then middle on the back side of the strap.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

If you save the picture and zoom in on the buttons you can make out the eagles on the buttons along the front.

Tried that, but the image is really too pixillated to pick out that kind of detail. I certainly could be wrong, but I'm sticking with my first thought that these are state buttons due to size and shape.

In the enlarged image, the sling does indeed look like painted canvas.

Paul McKee

[roundshot]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

Based upon size and shape of buttons, and style of frock coat, I'd bet that's a Connecticut soldier, possibly the three-month 3rd Connecticut Infantry judging by other photos of same.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Unusual Fed belt

I feel its a blackened buff sling, and I agree with Bob regarding the CT buttons on a commercial grade coat.