Image Officers Frock

[Ken]

I posted an image of an officer wearing an elisted frock with straps applied. In the same photo I noticed an officer with a different button arrangement. Most of the senior officers (majors, colonels) I've encountered have a double row of seven buttons. This is the second time I've encountered an image of an officer with what appears to be a double row of nine buttons (two of the buttons probably hidden uder the sword belt). The other time I encountered this the officer was identified as a surgeon. I'm wondering just how unusual this was. I know officers purchased their own tailor made uniforms, but were these guys bucking a regulation at the time that said you go with the seven button arrangement?The nine button arrangement, I believe, was more common on the navy officers frock during the war. The nine button arrangement also seems to have become common place around the time of the Indian wars. Any ideads?

[tenfed1861]

Re: Image Officers Frock

Looking at the spacing of the buttons,it may be an eight button frock.It looks as though the buttons are not spread out enough to be nine buttons,but as you said...It is interesting to note that he is wearing a pair of leather gloves.So maybe it's just a private tailored item.
I will say that this is a great image of the belt.Just from the fact that it is a simply belt with no shoulder straps,he might be a simple line/staff officer.It appears as though he has First LT. bars on.
Just my .02 cents.

[JustRob]

Re: Image Officers Frock

I was thinking the same thing: that's a cool belt.

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Image Officers Frock

Ken -

I'm inclined to agree with you. Very often, officers frocks (and, for that matter, civilian frocks) of the period will have the bottommost set of button/buttonhole aligned directly on the waist seam. Since I don't see the waist seam in the picture, it's likely concealed by the belt, where you could expect another button/buttonhole pair.

[Ken]

Re: Image Officers Frock

Marc,

Outstanding photographs. I see what you mean about the position of those buttons. I'm going to check out some more of the officers photos to see if I spot any more nine button coats.

[Ken]

Re: Image Officers Frock

In my searches I found another image of a Colonel Allaire whose frock has eight buttons instead of the more common seven.