Wearing sword belt under an open coat

[the other nathan]

I recently was perusing a bunch of colorized images. I began to notice something I hadn't noticed before and that was officers wearing their sword belts (and sword) under their coat (with the coat open). I first noticed it in this photo on the gentlemen on the far right.

Then I was able to quickly find it again here with these 4 cavalry officers are all wearing their belt in the same manner.


Then there is this image of 4 generals with two wearing the belt in this manner.


Here again, 2 more with their belts under their coats (circled by me in red) and you can see the swords coming from beneath their coat tails.


Having not noticed this before I now am questioning "why are they wearing their sword and belt in such a manner". After a brief search, I am not finding textual references to this, but thought I would put it out here. Has anyone encountered this in their research?

I would suppose that it could be warm and the coat is being worn open as a means of temperature regulation causing the sword and belt to be worn underneath the coat. At first I thought that it was a practical and definitely casual method of dress, but then seeing the general and field officer with Lincoln dressed in the same manner, I hesitate to dismiss this as a causal or practical state of undress.

Humbly,
Nathan

[RW0369]

Re: Wearing sword belt under an open coat

No pun intended, but it may have just been an attempt at a cavalier look. Intentional but not necessarily casual. I do think comfort may have been a factor but a small one if at all.
I've never read anything by anyone who did this, nor read of anyone describing this practice.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Wearing sword belt under an open coat

That's an interesting point that I really never noticed myself. The main thing in common is that all these photos are in-camp photos and look rather casual in nature - even the one with Lincoln. I would be curious as to how many photos exist of officers in formation or on duty where they have their belts beneath their coats.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Wearing sword belt under an open coat

Interesting indeed! It made me start looking through photos. I did find one of Grant and it appears he has his on under his coat.

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: Wearing sword belt under an open coat

I read an interview with Winfield Scott Hancock by an artist making a statue of him and he told the artist that on Jul 3 1863, he was wearing his sword belt under his jacket, jacket open and wearing brogans with russet leather leggings. Very different from the actor's portrayal in the movie! The inference I got was that due to the heat, he was wearing his coat open.

[the other nathan]

Re: Wearing sword belt under an open coat

Frank, thanks for sharing that tidbit. I'll keep my eyes open for more references/photos from now on. I am guessing I'll start to see it more due to the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon.

Others, if you see something, say something. Or one better, post the pic or reference. Thanks!

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Wearing sword belt under an open coat

Seems like a practical thing to do regarding the heat...

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: Wearing sword belt under an open coat

The Artist was James Kelly who interviewed a large number of Union Generals in preparations for making statues, the book is "Generals in Bronze: Interviewing the Commanders of the Civil War"