White Gloves

[BobRoeder]

Hello,

I'm in the process of gathering items for a VRC impression. In the book Gone for a Soldier: the CW Memoirs of Pvt. Alfred Bellard he states on pg. 261 (speaking of his service in the VRC) - "...we moved quarters again...in some new barracks called Post Rush.... We are now under strict military rule not being allowed to wear anything that was not issued by the government, even to our shoes. When out on pass, we must have our jacket buttoned up to our chin, waist belt on and also white gloves."

There are also a few photos of various VRC units in Washington located at the LOC site in which they are wearing white gloves.

Lord mentions on pg. 114 of his CW Collector's Encyc. - "Troops in garrison were required to wear white gloves, often called 'Berlin gloves' when appearing in formal dress parade."

So, given that there is some evidence that white gloves could be a part of a VRC member's equipment, does anyone know of a source for correct CW period white gloves? Or, if there is a pattern available and what type of material to use?

I tried a few searches here in the fora and among the approved vendors. I also found this - though they are of a later period:

http://www.1860-1960.com/z2045p0.html

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.

[LonestarRifles]

Re: White Gloves

Mr. Roeder,

Thanks for posting the link to the Berlin gloves! I have been trying to find a picture of a pair for a while now. The VMI Regulations from 1839, 1848, and 1854 all specifically state that Berlin gloves are part of a cadet's uniform ( found on page 6 of the 1839 regulations: 1839 VMI Regulations)

Respectfully,

[LonestarRifles]

Re: White Gloves

Also, the closest gloves I have seen that are close to period (all-cotton, no elastic and no polyester) are these marching band gloves: Marching Band Gloves

Like the Berlin gloves you showed earlier, they are longer-wristed than modern military gloves so the glove covers the entire wrist and the shirt sleeve can button over top.

Respectfully,

[Marine Mike]

Re: White Gloves

Would 'Berlin Gloves' be enough to define them as cotton or is it style?
The regulation US Marine glove was specified to be kid leather.
I found an Italian made glove that is close but double the cost due to material.

[BobRoeder]

Re: White Gloves

Mike,

All the information I could find so far on "Berlin" gloves says they are finely made cotton gloves (for formal wear?), but most of these are for later periods, but it does seem to be a common name for gloves in a military context.

Cloth vs leather - I was even questioning if they could have been wool because I found a definition for "Berlin" wool but it seems this is finely spun wool used for needlework. No matter, for my purposes (VRC), looking closely at the photos of the VRC on the LoC site (using the zoom-in) to my eye they look like cloth rather than leather, but.....

As for military contexts (just discovered this was posted here already):

"The Kanawha Valley Star, April 30, 1861
Kanawha Riflemen
Company Orders #1
April 26, 1861

1. In compliance with the requisition of a Proclamation of the Governor of Virginia dated at Richmond the 19th of April 1861, this command will hold itself in readiness for marching orders.
2.In case such orders shall arrive, each one must provide himself with the following articles at least in addition to dress and fatigue uniforms, to wit: two shirts, four collars, two pair of socks, two pair of drawers, one blacking brush and box (to any two files), two pair of white Berlin gloves, "

I also found a scanned article which lists items issued to soldiers during the 1880's which mentions that each soldier was allowed a certain number over a few years (sorry can't find it now...).

All I found in the Regulations w/ regard to gloves is:

"1502. For General Officers and Officers of the General Staff and Staff Corps - buff or white.
1503. For Officers of Artillery, Infantry, Cavalry, Dragoons, and Riflemen - white"
Colors, but no mention of material they were made of and unless I missed something nothing about gloves for enlisted men.

As for style?? Could it just mean "finger gloves" whether they are made from cloth or leather????