Uniform assistance needed.....

[Dalton Masterson]

Howdy all. Freeda has me looking at uniforms for my birthday, as all I have is a Confederate vest and kepi, and a blue embroidered bib shirt and blue pants.
Anyway, she is thinking I need the Berdan Sharpshooters green uniform. I like green, so no problem there. But.... I have found a Frock Coat, trousers, and bummer cap. Would they have worn a vest under the coat? Standard blue or a different color?

Also, were the shoulder boards worn on the frock coat for the USSS? Sleeve braids for Major?

Anyone ever order from Butternuts and Bluecoats? They have the best prices I can find so far.

I did get her talked into a blue greatcoat from Tombstone Outfitters. They are on sale there, if anyone needs one.

Thanks for the assistance!
DM

[Dr. Bob]

DM,

I can recommend James Country Mercantile in Liberty, MO. [NE corner of the metro KC area.

http://www.jamescountry.com/sitemap.html

Email:    Jamescntry@aol.com

Phone: 816-781-9473

Talk to Jean on Mon., Wed. & Fridays & Saturdays.  They made the uniform that Maj. Matt Lewis  won with at EOT [I think that's where].  They stock the rifle green cloth [Army for wool in the 19th Century] and do first class work.  I have 4 suits, a civilian frock coat and several vests that they have made for me and I have more in the planning stage!!

[US Scout]

...Anyway, she is thinking I need the Berdan Sharpshooters green uniform. I like green, so no problem there. But.... I have found a Frock Coat, trousers, and bummer cap. Would they have worn a vest under the coat? Standard blue or a different color?

Also, were the shoulder boards worn on the frock coat for the USSS? Sleeve braids for Major?

DM

I ran around with the 2nd Regt, USSS for a few years.  USSS officers wore a standard style frock coat in both green and blue.  Shoulder boards could have a dark green or light blue background.  Not the kelly green boards that some people offer - this is for medical officers.  Sash, if worn, would be the standard maroon color.  No sleeve braid.  Some US officers wore this, but I've seen no evidence of any officers in the USSS wearing it.

Can't help you with the vendors.  I got my two USSS uniforms from a vendor in Gettysburg (I'll try and remember the name and post it for you).  I can recommend the Quartermaster Shop though.  Their products are excellent.

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF

[Dalton Masterson]

Is the vest worn under the frock coat in a standard blue uniform?

From what one of the vendors was saying, all officers wore their vest under their coats/frocks. Would the USSS have had a green vest, or just a standard blue one?

DM

[US Scout]

Is the vest worn under the frock coat in a standard blue uniform?

From what one of the vendors was saying, all officers wore their vest under their coats/frocks. Would the USSS have had a green vest, or just a standard blue one?

DM

Vests were an optional item.  Regulations stated they could be sky or dark blue, but there were a lot of exceptions.  You could find a high-collar "military" vests as well as shawl collar civilian style vests being worn - usually based on the wearer's choice or what could be acquired.

No one really knows if the USSS officers wore a blue vest or a green vest, and the general view that I've heard expressed is that both blue colors and green were worn.  If you go with a green vest with the green coat, you can't go wrong, but you could equally wear the other colors.  I have a dark blue vest and saw no reason to get a green one for the few times I wear my USSS officer's unifrom. 

You should be aware that due to the quality of the photographs taken in the 1860s, its hard to distinquish whether the wearer is wearing green or blue, and the various diaries, letters, and descriptions left by the Sharpshooters indicate that they wore blue just about as much as they wore green.  Often they wore blue because the green wore out and there was only blue uniforms to replace them.  There is a lot of discussion concerning whether they wore green sackcoats in the field (most think they wore blue), so I would say that you can probably wear blue or green at your discretion.

By the way, I got both my enlisted and officer's uniforms from Memories Past in Gettysburg, PA.  They also have the correct black buttons - which adds a nice touch against the green.  I also wouldn't hesitate to purchase one from the Quartermaster Shop who has made several uniforms for me over the years.

Nancy A Lare
Manager/Owner
Memories Past Historical Outfitter's
nlare@memoriespast.net
800-438-8971

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF

[Dalton Masterson]

Thank you for that good information, sir!
I think I am going to try the butternuts and bluecoats uniform out and see how they are.

DM

[Dusty Tagalon]

I have purchased from Butternuts & Bluecoats, quality is OK, they use a lighter weight material.

Dusty

[Dalton Masterson]

Thanks Dusty. That lighterweight thing might be good for this very very warm blooded person. We shall see how it all comes together!
Looks like I will have an 8 week wait for my uniform, so......

DM

[rustyrelx]

How tall are you? I have a green Frock coat that I would part with. I'm a 46 and it fits ok on me. 6'2"
PM me if interested    Don

[Dalton Masterson]

6'0" and a 50 inch chest is what I need.
Think it would work?
DM

[rustyrelx]

Tall side of things will work for sure.  I went and looked at it and the tag says 44. Its on the larger side but 50, I don't know.
Don

[Dalton Masterson]

Probably better not risk it then. Hate to shame the regiment, when the seams pop open!
Thanks for the offer tho!!
DM

[rustyrelx]

Your welcome.

[rustyrelx]

Your welcome