Rank circlettes on enlisted overcoat

[cpt dan blodgett]

Am about to order am enlisted infantry great coat.  Where and how are the rank circlettes worn?

[Grapeshot]

About an inch above the cuff.

[cpt dan blodgett]

As in end of sleeve or 1 inch above the edge of the turned back cuff on the sleeve vs the part that is turned back

[Pitspitr]

I always thoght they went ON the cuff, so I started doing some searches and this was the only reliable information I found

General Orders 102 November 25, 1861

III--In time of actual field service, officers of cavalry, artillery, and infantry are permitted to wear the light blue overcoat prescribed for enlisted men of the mounted corps.

From the 1872 Regulations:

Officers serving in the field may dispense with the prescribed insignia of rank on their horse equipments, and may wear overcoats of the same color and shape as those of the enlisted men of their commands, and omit epaulettes, shoulder-knots, or other prominent marks likely to attract the fire of sharpshooters; but all officers must wear the prescribed buttons, strips, and shoulder-straps, to indicate their corps and rank.

Clear as mud ain't it? One opion I found said you could wear it anywhere you wanted; on the collar, on the chest, on the cuff, on the chest, ect.  BTW I wouldn't go by his opinion. 

[Drydock]

I was always informed that on the caped overcoat the rank simply needed to be on the lower arm, visible below the cape.  Roughly midpoint between wrist and elbow should be fine.

[cpt dan blodgett]

I may just get the navy blue coat and have the braid put on the sleeves

[Grapeshot]

As in end of sleeve or 1 inch above the edge of the turned back cuff on the sleeve vs the part that is turned back

An inch above where the cuff is turned up.  That's where I had mine put when I got my Great Coat from SEVANTS in Gettysberg, PA.  And they had a reputation of following the regs, much to the consternation of those of us who were doing STATE MILITIA impressions.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Thanks that is pretty much what I thought but but wanted to verify.  Still undecided on the dark blue vs sky blue coat think there is $90 difference from milkcreek. Ledgemdary arms has the blue coat on sale for $125 but am afraid of getting what I paid for. I realy like the milkcreek fabric. The did a great job on my 58 dark blue inf officers pants

[Gen Lew Wallace]

I like the idea of not wearing identifying marks for getting sniped out in the field.   

[cpt dan blodgett]

Took til 63 before the union army figured it out

[cpt dan blodgett]

Bit the bullet and ordered the dark blue coat last night - primarily because all the other overcoats/greatcoats I have seen on the range were sky blue.

What the heck, I may have a little Custer or Patton (a death wish or just the need to attract attention) in me despite being an infantry guy

[Gen Lew Wallace]

Nothing wrong with that pard.  I like your way of thinking.  I spent 20 years as an enlisted man in the military.  I figured in retirement I can play an officer; it can't be that hard.   

The bonus is I get to portray a local hero where I grew up in Montgomery County, Indiana.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Being an officer is easy only need to be able to say "Sergeant fix that" on the off chance he had not already done so.
Good on you for portraying a local hero, do you also write?
I own some dirt in Lincoln County New Mexico scene of another war in which Lew had a hand.

[Gen Lew Wallace]

Pretty cool pard.  I would like to travel the Southwest someday; hopefully in retirement.  I don't write at all.  I'm doing well enough to come off as literate around these boards.   

[cpt dan blodgett]

When the time comes you might want to come down in your 4 horse chariot