Name/Title
Strap, shoulderEntry/Object ID
1.99.349 a,bDescription
Material: metal. (a) Shoulder Strap. Size: 5" W. x 7" L. x 7/8" D. Description: brass epaulet - decorative top side features a scale pattern - narrow strap underside projection to attach to metal shoulder piece (b) sewn to uniform shoulder - slot in end accept a button. (b) Side Piece. Size: 4 5/8" W. x 2 7/8" L. x 5/16" D. Description: brass piece - half circle shape - horizontal ridges on lower half - small holes pierced around curved sides for sewing to uniform - large slot at top to accept metal strap (a).Context
Waseca County Military - Civil War. Worn on shoulder of uniform to protect from saber blow, commonly referred to as a "shoulder scale" perhaps because of the scaled design worked into the metal. Shoulder scales were worn as a dress distinction of the uniform coat and jacket of enlisted men of all branches; they were never worn on the sack coat. Attached to the uniform by a tongue on the bottom of the scale which slid through a brass attachment sewn onto the shoulder of the uniform coat that was called a scale slide. At the collar was a second piece called a scale button which turned and locked the scale onto the uniform. Design of insignia scales varied to indicate rank of the Civil War Union Army soldier or officer: 1) Privates (not finished off on the bottom), Corporals and Musicians; 2) Sergeants (have a bottom section that fits the shoulders); 3) Members of Noncommissioned Staff (has a series of rivets in the scales).Cataloged By
Legacy Photo ImportLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Tertiary Object Term
Strap, ShoulderNomenclature Secondary Object Term
Insignia, ShoulderNomenclature Primary Object Term
InsigniaNomenclature Sub-Class
Status SymbolsNomenclature Class
Personal SymbolsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsCreate Date
April 14, 1999Update Date
November 21, 2024