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CIVIL WAR ERA EYEGLASSES
By John A. Braden
Judging by the absence of eyeglasses in photographs of Civil War troops, many menwho could have used glasses went without. Perhaps the soldier considered them tooexpensive, or didn’t know his eyesight was bad., or considered eyeglasses too much of abother to wear in the field. At any rate, if your eyesight is bad, one authentic solution is tosimply go without.
But if you are nearsighted and want to see what’s going on at a reenactment, you’llwant to wear something to correct your vision.
Contact lenses are one possibility. However, the daily care required for them,together with the dirt and smoke encountered at reenactments, may render themunsuitable.
Since modern eyeglasses can ruin an otherwise authentic appearance, in most cases apair of authentic eyeglasses is the solution.
But how can you tell what is authentic? Some people think that any old pair f wireframes is sufficient. But if you’re going to spend the bucks on some prescription glasses,you may as well do it right and get some authentic ones.
So here are some things to look out for.
FRAMES
Round frames had gone out of style by the end of the Revolution, to be replaced byrectangular frames (Fig. A). In turn, the rectangular frames lost out to oval frames (Fig.B) around 1860. Another style that came on the scene during the Civil War was thecoffin-shaped frame (Fig. C).
These are, of course, only general guidelines. Thus, though not prevalent, some roundframes were made during the Civil War. Likewise, although the rectangular frames wentout of style by 1860, some people would have continued to wear such frames were by farthe most prevalent, those wanting to represent the typical eyeglass wearer will choose theoval frames.
These are, of course, only general guidelines. Thus, though not prevalent, some roundframes were made during the Civil War. Likewise, although the rectangular frames wentout of style by 1860, some people would have continued to wear such frames into theCivil War. However, since the oval frames were by far the most prevalent, those wantingto represent the typical eyeglass wearer will choose the oval frames.
Another advantage of oval frames is that they remained popular until the twentiethcentury. this means that it will be easier to find examples of such frames in antique shops.
All styles of frames tended to be much smaller than modern frames (though very smallframes indicate reading glasses). However, the smaller frames did not restrict one’s viewas much as you might think because the frames were worn close to the eyes.
As for material, gold or blued steel were most common.
NOSEPIECE
The nosepiece rested directly on the bridge of the nose: nosepads were unknown. Twoshapes were common to American-made glasses: the "yoke" type (Fig. D) and the "C"type (Fig. E). The yoke type gave way to the C type around 1860.
Most of the antique glass you are likely to find will have a nosepiece that is bentforward and flattened to follow the contour of the nose better (Fig. F). This type ofnosepiece indicates that the glasses were made after the Civil War. Nosepieces madebefore and during the Civil War were simpler, with the nosepiece even with the frames,and round in cross-section (Fig. G).
BOWS OR TEMPLES
Most bows were straight (not curving over the ears) with a loop at the end, through whicha string or ribbon could be passed to secure the glasses to the head (Fig. H). Other bowsdid wrap around the ears (Fig. I). Though the wraparounds were less prevalent, they weremore practical for reenactors, since they were less likely to fall off.
SUMMARY
Figure J shows what a typical pair of glasses would have looked like in the 1860’s. FigureK shows a typical pair of 1850’s glasses, which would also be authentic for Civil WarReenactors.
PROCURING THE GLASSES
Now that you know what you’re looking for, you need to know where to look. Since thestyle of frames we are talking about are generally not sold by modern opticians, you’llhave to check out antique stores, flea markets, or sutlers. You should be able to get a pairof period frames for between $6 and $12.
Once you get some frames that fit, take them to an optometric establishment to havelenses made to your prescription. You might have to try more than one place to find onethat will fit lenses to such unusual frames. Some places might charge extra to fit suchlenses, but because the frames are cheaper than modern frames, you’ll still end up payingless then you would for a modern pair of glasses.
If your search is unsuccessful, Tom McEvoy (one of Thomas’ Mudsills) can makeglasses to your prescription at a reasonable price. You can contact him at his office at 111North Addison Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126 (phone 312-832-2115).
SOURCES
Richard Corson, Fashions in Eyeglasses (Dufour Editions, Chestes Springs, PA 1967)
L.D. Bronson, Early American Specs (Occidental Publishing Co., Glendale, CA 1974)
Attached Files
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