Original 79th New York Highlanders Jacket

[79thReproductions]

I found the pictures I have been looking for of one of the two remaining original 79th New York Jackets known to exist.

I love the sporran cut out! Enjoy.

79th Coat
ca. 1860s

Wool; Brass

79th N.Y. "Highlander" Uniform Coat. This is a Civil War period navy blue wool Highlander militia jacket with cutaway tails. Red piping is on the front openings, around the bottom of the tails, and the sleeves. The proper right front has nine brass buttons 2.20 cm (7/8 in) in diameter. There are two additional 2.20 cm buttons on the back of the jacket. The collar is trimmed with red wool patches and white piping. A flap covered watch pocket is on the proper right front; and on the left is a tab for attaching a scabbard. The sleeves have a red wool decorative false cuff and three small brass buttons 1.50 cm (5/8 in) in diameter. The tails are lined with red wool and the jacket with brown chintz. The front and shoulders of the jacket are padded with a wool batting. The batting is machine quilted in rows 0.90 cm (3/8 to 1/2 inches) apart.

[beloitpiper]

Cool! I assume you already have a repro that you wear?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Thanks for the diligence in searching out the photo, and thanks for posting it. I've sent you a PM.

[79thReproductions]

Cool! I assume you already have a repro that you wear?

I sure do :] Both types. I personally like the other type with subtle differences...its a little more flashy with a slightly different tail cut, twisted wool cording trim, cording around the base of the collar, polished cotton skirt lining (Not wool), different quilting for the breast panels and other things.

I have posted them before, but here are pictures of one of my jackets....the color doesnt show up right in these images, its the same tone as the original. A right dark navy blue.

[David Dubh]

Very nice. Great reproduction

[Derek Conley]

Your jacket looks sharp... I now want one.

[79thReproductions]

Here is a picture of that same original jacket with the original glengarry on display"

[The Barry]

Wow, that's pretty damned cool, if you ask me.

I don't do the military look myself, but if I did, it would be a repro of the 79ths.

Looks sharp!

[Riverkilt]

I regret all them years of swilling beer most of all when I see a beautiful jacket like this...find myself lusting after it...then remember my beer belly won't come anywhere near squeezing into it....

Love the collar treatment...the description just calls them patches...look like wings to me...

Ron

[macwilkin]

Love the collar treatment...the description just calls them patches...look like wings to me...

I would call them "facings", Ron. Facing colours were used in the British Army to distinguish units by assigning different colours which were used on the collars, cuffs, etc. In the US Regular Army, piping was used in branch-of-service colours:

sky blue (later white for a time): infantry
red: artillery
yellow: cavalry
orange: signal corps

Of course, state militias frequently adopted their own uniforms which did not follow the regular army's dress regulations, especially "chum and chowder" units.

Regards,

Todd