Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful US Army Model 1902 frock coat with rank insignia for a Major in the 7th Infantry Regiment. The uniform is in fantastic condition and even has an early Indian Service uniform button. The Indian Service formed into the Bureau of Indian Affairs, an agency of the Federal Government for the administration and management of the Reservations.

The first decade of the 20th century was a period of great change for the Army. During this period the office of the Chief of Staff was created, the militia act was modified leading to the creation of the National Guard, and a number of branches and departments were created or reorganized, including the Army Nurse Corps, and the reorganization of the Artillery into an Artillery Corps consisting of the Field Artillery and Coast Artillery. At the same time, the vast majority of troops were outside the country on occupation duty or containing the insurgency in the Philippines.

In the period following the Spanish American War the Army again took a hard look at its uniforms, accouterments and weapons. In 1902 a board was assembled in Washington, to review the Army's uniforms, and on July 17, 1902 the results of the board's deliberations were published as General Order No.81. This General Order made significant changes in how the Army looked.

Virtually every item of clothing was examined and most were redesigned. Blue was eliminated as a color for service dress, being replaced by olive drab and khaki. Leather items were changed from black to russet, new insignia was authorized, chevrons became smaller, and even new buttons were introduced in gilt for dress and bronze for the field. By the fall of 1902, the Quartermaster Department at Philadelphia began making the new uniforms, but the changes were not without controversy, extending even to the White House. How could the Army think of issuing new uniforms when there were stocks of the older pattern clothing still available and in serviceable condition? In 1903 a compromise decision was made in which the Artillery and Engineers serving in the United States would continue to receive and wear old pattern clothing until stocks were exhausted. In addition, old pattern trousers and khaki cotton service uniforms would continue to be issued (except those with branch colored facings) to all units.

This is a fantastic U.S. Army 1902 Officer's Blue Wool Frock Coat. The coat features bullion embroidered crossed rifles on each sleeve with a 7 for the 7th Infantry Regiment. Collar bordered with gold bullion tape. Heavy gold bullion interwoven shoulder boards with bullion Major insignia on both. Gold bullion entwined tape on sleeves to show rank of Major. The buttons back marked and all present but a few are later replacements to complete appearance. It has a very nice quilted lining with two breast pockets and two hidden rear skirt pockets. The condition is very good with little wear.

Comes more than ready for display.

Approximate Measurements
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 25”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15”
Chest width: 16.5”
Waist width: 16.5"
Hip width: 22”
Front length: 34.5"