Description: Extremely rare, documented uniform belonging to Civil War 1st Lt. Nelson Ephraim Prentice of Payne, Ohio, an officer in Company M, 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery, who entered service on September 5, 1863 and was mustered out on July 25, 1865. He was actively involved in the Battle of Lookout Mountain [Tennessee]. The unit itself [formerly known as the 117th Ohio Infantry] was mustered August 5, 1863 in Cincinnati, Ohio by Captain P.W. Stanhope, and was mustered out on July 25, 1965 in Knoxville, Tennessee by Captain Thomas McDermott, U.S.V., 1st Cavalry Division Officer in Charge. The military and civilian clothing grouping includes: 1) THE LIEUTENANT`S FROCKCOAT & TROUSERS. The frockcoat is made of dark blue, melton wool having 9 button front, split tail w/four buttons [all buttons gilt-finished eagle-A design for Artillery branch, maker marked, lacking only top button at neck], matched set of sewn-on 1st. Lt. shoulder boards [gold bullion bars and border on red wool base, having gold beaded edging], red sleeve lining [few separations inside cuffs and in armpit areas], and dark polished cotton lining having two inside pockets. Some very minor mothing and wear but very clean and sound - no restoration - very nice appearance overall. Comes w/matching trousers, approximate 34" waist, 4 hidden button fly [metal, lacking one], hidden large waist button [lacking], outside suspender buttons [3 metal in place, lacking two, one period wooden replacement], red piping down each leg, two front waist pockets, belt at back waist w/clawed buckle, and white cotton inside lining. The lining displays some age and use soiling and fray wear at waist, cuffs displays some wear and separation [that should be able to be re-sewn], far above average - solid condition. 2) WHITE LINEN PERIOD HANKERCHIEF found in the tail pocket of the frockcoat. 3) THE LIEUTENANT`S GAR SUIT COAT & VEST. The coat is approximate size 40, is made of dark blue serge wool, buttonhole in left lapel for his GAR badge, 3 button front, 3 buttons on each sleeve [all are gilt-finished, 2-piece, w/raised GAR letters], upper left breast open top pocket, two lower hidden pockets w/flaps, split tail, dark green wool lining w/makers tag at neck, inside pocket w/makers un-named tag inside. Coat exhibits some light moth nips in various areas of the jacket, but not enough to detract much at all from display value. The matching sleeveless vest has 5 "GAR" gilt-finished 2-piece buttons, two upper & lower open top pockets, dark green wool back w/Ivy-League style belt and 2-claw buckle, and striped white cotton inside lining w/one pocket. Vest exhibits moderate moth damage to back, a lesser amopunt of moth damage to front w/2" separation [repairable] just above left top pocket. Still display worthy UNDERNEATH the coat. 4) THE LIEUTENANT`S CLOTH SUSPENDERS. Nice pair of woven cloth suspenders, complete w/brown leather waist button attachments at one end and 3 dull grey steel 3-claw size adjustment buckles in place with double-looped waist button attachments affixed. 5) THE LIEUTENANT`S CIVILIAN FROCKCOAT. Approximate size 38, worn after the war, made of dark blue-black fine wool, buttonhole in left lapel for badge, 4 button front, one button on each cuff, split tail with 2 buttons [all buttons are black woven cloth covered steel], and dark green wool lining w/one pocket. There are a few small moth nips on and near back collar, bit of wear to button cloth, and a 1.5" x 1" hole to fabric at right waist. Family documentation includes a photo copied 10-page history of this unit, as written by 1LT Prentice, has the names written in of all Company M Officers [dates of entry and mustering out given at top of 1st page]; a xeroxed studio photo of Lt. Prentice [as taken on December 13, 1893] w/photo of surviving relatives in 1959; a typed xeroxed sheet containing a brief history of the Prentice Family; a xeroxed photo of Prentice family members including the Lt., circa 1880's; a 17mm diameter gilt-finished lapel pin w/enamel American flag; and the Lieutenant`s personal bronze GAR membership lapel badge. VERY RARE and important documented historial grouping belonging to named Officer that has been consigned directly from the Lt's great, great grandson - never in collector hands! Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
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