INFANTRY GREAT COAT AND REGULATION BLANKET OF CIVIL WAR PRIVATE JOHN O. QUIMBY.

INFANTRY GREAT COAT AND REGULATION BLANKET OF CIVIL WAR PRIVATE JOHN O. QUIMBY. This is a unique uniform grouping of a Maine Enlisted Infantry soldier who, at a slightly advanced age, served as a regimental drummer. Drummer John O. Quimby was a native of Brunswick, ME, enlisting in the 25th ME Infantry raised in Portland. In state records, Quimby was noted as being a 35 year-old “musician” who served in the unit from September 1862 to July 1863. The 25th ME was a 9-month regiment that was stationed in the Washington, DC area. Union regulations authorized the assigning of two field musicians for each infantry company of a regiment. These were generally a single drummer and fifer. Principal to the grouping are two period CW photos of Quimby with his drum, his Federal government regulation Infantry great coat, and regulation blanket. Quimby marked his ownership and regiment on both the coat and blanket. Musician Quimby’s interesting early war regulation Infantry Great Coat is made of jean cloth wool. Most Civil War regulation coats were constructed of sky blue wool kersey. Early in the war, though, when clothing and equipment were rapidly pressed into service, some unique combinations were witnessed. These regulation characteristics include a stand-up collar, single-breasted front with five buttons, a short cape, and fold back cuffs. A near exact identified example is shown in the book Echoes of Glory, Arms and Equipment of the Union by Time-Life Books (p. 129). This published example is incorrectly labeled as a “state contract” overcoat. The example being sold here confirms that these were manufactured under an early war Federal contract, being marked by a Federal appointed inspector. The overcoat is maker-marked inside the right sleeve with “W. B. Button / NY” and two dots to signify the size. Inside the left sleeve lining is the Federal inspector mark “CN Inspector / CT Hathaway / New York”. Federal clothing records from the U. S. National Archives (copies included) show that manufacturer Button delivered “Foot Great Coats” under several contracts totaling 45,000 from Sept to Oct 1862. Despite this seemingly large number, these early war coats are quite rare. The coat’s red interior lining has been removed, but traces can still be seen. There is some minor damage to the coat, having exposed moth holes. John Quimby stenciled in black ink his name and regiment under the rear of the coat’s cape while also signing his initials and unit inside the left sleeve lining, “JOQ, 25 Me”. Also included with the grouping is Quimby’s Civil War regulation blanket with the proper central stitched “US” marking and end strips. The blanket is the typical aged brown in color and is sized at 70” wide x 77-1/2” long. These blankets are known to be dyed with logwood dyes that fade over time to different colors from the original period of manufacture. The blanket has two 2.5” stripes present on each end. The central “US” markings are approx. 5” tall x 10” across. The stripes and “US” markings are dark blue in color. Underneath the blanket’s “US”, soldier Quimby has again stenciled in black ink his name and regiment onto the blanket. There is a very nice original CDV photo of Quimby with his unique custom tailored musician’s frock coat, hat, and drum. The photo’s back is marked “Hamilton, Court Street, Boston”. It is period pencil marked on the rear with Quimby’s service dates. Also included is an oversized albumen photo in frame (overall size 22” x 25”) of Quimby and other regimental drummers of the 25th ME Infantry, all four being seated in their custom frock coats and drums situated in front. Penciled on the back is “Great Grandfather Quimby in the CW 1862-1863”. This is a great opportunity to purchase a superior condition, early war regulation infantry overcoat and a scarce and beautifully maintained regulation, identified blanket with fine embroidered “US” and bright blue stripes. CONDITION: Blanket is fine overall with good color in blue stripes and blue embroidered “US”. Scattered staining and scattered mothing. Great coat appears sound and in “as found” condition with some newer stitching, tightening up loose seams, and possibly a button or two being resewn. Coat is missing lining in body; however, sleeve linings are intact with maker’s mark, inspector’s and soldier’s ID and unit easily read, as can be seen in photographs, scattered mothing on body of coat. Photographs are both very good overall. 4-32922 JS253 (11,000-14,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1484	$8,050.00	INFANTRY GREAT COAT AND REGULATION BLANKET OF CIVIL WAR PRIVATE JOHN O. QUIMBY. This is a unique uniform grouping of a Maine Enlisted Infantry soldier who, at a slightly advanced age, served as a regimental drummer. Drummer John O. Quimby was a native of Brunswick, ME, enlisting in the 25th ME Infantry raised in Portland. In state records, Quimby was noted as being a 35 year-old “musician” who served in the unit from September 1862 to July 1863. The 25th ME was a 9-month regiment that was stationed in the Washington, DC area. Union regulations authorized the assigning of two field musicians for each infantry company of a regiment. These were generally a single drummer and fifer. Principal to the grouping are two period CW photos of Quimby with his drum, his Federal government regulation Infantry great coat, and regulation blanket. Quimby marked his ownership and regiment on both the coat and blanket. Musician Quimby’s interesting early war regulation Infantry Great Coat is made of jean cloth wool. Most Civil War regulation coats were constructed of sky blue wool kersey. Early in the war, though, when clothing and equipment were rapidly pressed into service, some unique combinations were witnessed. These regulation characteristics include a stand-up collar, single-breasted front with five buttons, a short cape, and fold back cuffs. A near exact identified example is shown in the book Echoes of Glory, Arms and Equipment of the Union by Time-Life Books (p. 129). This published example is incorrectly labeled as a “state contract” overcoat. The example being sold here confirms that these were manufactured under an early war Federal contract, being marked by a Federal appointed inspector. The overcoat is maker-marked inside the right sleeve with “W. B. Button / NY” and two dots to signify the size. Inside the left sleeve lining is the Federal inspector mark “CN Inspector / CT Hathaway / New York”. Federal clothing records from the U. S. National Archives (copies included) show that manufacturer Button delivered “Foot Great Coats” under several contracts totaling 45,000 from Sept to Oct 1862. Despite this seemingly large number, these early war coats are quite rare. The coat’s red interior lining has been removed, but traces can still be seen. There is some minor damage to the coat, having exposed moth holes. John Quimby stenciled in black ink his name and regiment under the rear of the coat’s cape while also signing his initials and unit inside the left sleeve lining, “JOQ, 25 Me”. Also included with the grouping is Quimby’s Civil War regulation blanket with the proper central stitched “US” marking and end strips. The blanket is the typical aged brown in color and is sized at 70” wide x 77-1/2” long. These blankets are known to be dyed with logwood dyes that fade over time to different colors from the original period of manufacture. The blanket has two 2.5” stripes present on each end. The central “US” markings are approx. 5” tall x 10” across. The stripes and “US” markings are dark blue in color. Underneath the blanket’s “US”, soldier Quimby has again stenciled in black ink his name and regiment onto the blanket. There is a very nice original CDV photo of Quimby with his unique custom tailored musician’s frock coat, hat, and drum. The photo’s back is marked “Hamilton, Court Street, Boston”. It is period pencil marked on the rear with Quimby’s service dates. Also included is an oversized albumen photo in frame (overall size 22” x 25”) of Quimby and other regimental drummers of the 25th ME Infantry, all four being seated in their custom frock coats and drums situated in front. Penciled on the back is “Great Grandfather Quimby in the CW 1862-1863”. This is a great opportunity to purchase a superior condition, early war regulation infantry overcoat and a scarce and beautifully maintained regulation, identified blanket with fine embroidered “US” and bright blue stripes. CONDITION: Blanket is fine overall with good color in blue stripes and blue embroidered “US”. Scattered staining and scattered mothing. Great coat appears sound and in “as found” condition with some newer stitching, tightening up loose seams, and possibly a button or two being resewn. Coat is missing lining in body; however, sleeve linings are intact with maker’s mark, inspector’s and soldier’s ID and unit easily read, as can be seen in photographs, scattered mothing on body of coat. Photographs are both very good overall. 4-32922 JS253 (11,000-14,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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