Shako, Stock, and Sword: Portrait of a Palmetto State Militiaman

By Ron Field 

The antebellum volunteer militia of South Carolina wore a great variety of uniforms. Distinguished by the Palmetto-shaped plume on extended stem, and Palmetto device at the front on his bell-crown shako, this militiaman wears a triple-breasted tailcoat with yellow or gold-tinted braid across the chest, and what is likely blind buttonhole braid of the same color on his cuffs.

Unusually, he has what appears to be a leather stock worn on the outside of his coat collar. The original purpose of this was to protect the neck from slashing blades in battle, but it also served to keep the head and neck erect when the uniform was worn. Also around his neck and looped around the third button on his coat front is a narrow cord, from which a small medallion is suspended. His unusual striped pants are of civilian origin. He holds an 1807-pattern stirrup-hilted sword with a curved blade. Its leather scabbard with brass throat is detached from his belt, perhaps to ensure it was included in the photograph.

Ron Field is a MI Senior Editor.