Bidspirit auction | 71st NY Infantry Uniform Tailcoat

71st NY Infantry Uniform Tailcoat - A remarkable late 19th-century dress uniform tailcoat from the historic 71st New York Infantry Regiment, famously known as the ”American Guard,” likely manufactured between 1880 and 1898. Expertly tailored by The American Uniform Company of New York, this doublet-style coat features a deep navy blue wool body beautifully contrasted with cream wool facings along the standing collar, scalloped cuffs, and structural tail linings. The front and tails are decorated with an elaborate arrangement of brass buttons embossed with the numeral ”71” inside a laurel wreath, representing the height of post-Civil War American militia pageantry prior to the regiment's famed service at San Juan Hill. This piece comes complete with its original matching shoulder boards, with wool or cotton fringe. The garment is in fair condition overall; the uppermost central button is currently detached and stored within one of the pockets, the collar has some expected wear and staining inside well in line with its age and use, the shoulder board loops exhibit visible fraying and separation wear, and the cream wool elements show scattered staining, age discoloration, and minor moth tracking. H 34”, W 21”, D 15”. Please see photos for condition.