California Militia Uniform, 1864-1865
By Anthony F. Gero In early 1864, Californians glimpsed new uniforms for state militia. A report in the Sacramento Bee sets the scene: “At the window of Lamott’s on J
Category: Material Culture
Edmands’ “Famous Military Hat”
By Ron Field The first few months of the Civil War were a period of experimentation with military hats and caps, particularly in the Northern states. One pattern used extensively
Colt Second Model Dragoon Revolver
By Frank Graves Portraits of Civil War soldiers armed with any of the three models of Colt Dragoons are uncommon. Images such as this tintype of a Union cavalryman gripping
The 28th Iowa Infantry Jacket
By Ronald S. Coddington “While not originally uniformed as Zouaves this regiment created one of the most unique and readily identifiable uniforms of the war,” writes Daniel J. Miller in
The Dimick Rifle and “the Regiment of the West”
By Ronald S. Coddington Americans followed the sport of target shooting with rapt attention in the 19th century. One of the most memorable matches occurred in Covington, Ky., in April
The Walch Navy Revolver
By Frank Graves Early war images of enlisted men with revolvers tucked into their waist belts are fairly common. These weapons were privately purchased or perhaps given as gifts from
Ponchos and Waterproof Blankets During the Civil War
By Frederick C. Gaede Prior to the Civil War, the Quartermaster Department provided U.S. soldiers with three items of personal protection from the elements: woolen blankets (bedding or saddle), great
The Gray Gutta Percha Knapsack
By Michael R. Cunningham, Ph.D. During the 1850s, the U.S. War Department experimented with a variety of military accoutrements made with rubber and gutta percha. The items included canteens, holsters,
Navy Round Jackets
By Ron Field A garment described as a “blue cloth Jacket” was part of dress or mustering wear for petty officers and other ranks of the U.S. Navy from the
Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver, Early Fluted Cylinder
By Frank Graves This bearded Union infantryman, dressed in standard issue frock coat and cap, grips a Colt Model 1860 Army revolver. A close study of the sidearm reveals a