Original Set of Civil War 1st Lieutenant Infantry Shoulder Boards

This is a beautiful matching pair of original Infantry1st Lieutenant's Civil War officer shoulder boards. These are for the rank of 1st Lieutenant because of the single bar within the blue board, which indicates the infantry branch of service. This version with the single border is the typical Civil War design and size.

Civil War officers were not issued uniforms or equipment like the enlisted man would receive. He had to pay out of his own pocket for his uniform, sword, kepi, accoutrements, etc. There were many dealers who had establishments and put out catalogs of their wares, such as Horstmann. Officers were not as regulated as enlisted men with what they wore and their adornments and insignia. This was left up to the officer as to how much he was willing to spend and his particular taste (see variety in "Commanders of the Civil War").

The boards are in fine, complete condition with the normal wear from use during the war, not an unused pair from surplus stock. The light blue color is beautiful and has very little fading. Each board measures 4 inches by 1 3/8 inches in overall size. They will make a nice addition to your Civil War infantry display. They come in the glass top display case pictured.