Original Item: Only One Available. This is a desirable World War I era New York Military Academy cadet uniform grouping identified to a cadet named “Larned.” The group consists of a dark dress uniform coat bearing sergeant’s chevrons and its matching New York Military Academy dress cap complete with the distinctive red feather plume.

The New York Military Academy was founded in 1889 by American Civil War veteran and educator Charles Jefferson Wright, who had previously served as Commandant of Cadets at the nearby Peekskill Military Academy. Wright’s successor, Sebastian Jones, directed the school from 1894 until 1922 and guided it through a period of considerable growth, including recovery from a disastrous campus fire in 1910 and the extensive rebuilding program that followed.

The uniform coat retains the rank chevrons of a cadet sergeant. Inside is a tailor’s label for:

ADAM J. WICINSKI
NYMA
CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK

Research indicates that Adam J. Wicinski was born in Poland in 1892 and immigrated to the United States in 1908. He appears to have established his tailoring business during the 1910s, making a World War I-era date for this uniform consistent with the available information.

The coat is named: LARNED

We were unable to identify the cadet conclusively. Additional research into early New York Military Academy yearbooks, rosters, and alumni records may establish his full name, dates of attendance, and activities at the academy.

The matching dress cap retains its original NYMA cap badge, brass chin scales, interior liner, and large red feather plume. The interior is marked by N. S. Meyer, the well-known New York military outfitter and insignia manufacturer.

The side buttons display a lyre device. This may indicate an association with the academy band or service as a cadet musician, although the precise significance of the device within the New York Military Academy uniform system has not been confirmed.

The cap shows honest age and wear. There is heavy crazing across the exterior body, a dent at the base of the plume socket, and a broken section at the rear of the upper hat band. The chinstrap is broken, and the interior sweatband has lost much of its original stitching. Despite these condition issues, the cap remains substantially complete and retains excellent visual character, particularly with its original badge and red plume.

The coat also shows expected age, use, and storage wear but remains highly displayable. The surviving tailor’s label, cadet name, sergeant’s chevrons, and matching cap create a convincing and visually impressive academy grouping.

This is a compelling surviving uniform set from one of America’s best-known military academies. The named attribution, cadet sergeant rank, N. S. Meyer-marked cap, possible musician’s insignia, and dramatic red plume make it an appealing addition to a collection of American military school uniforms, WWI-era dress, or early 20th-century cadet material.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 24"
Shoulder to shoulder: 16"
Chest width: 14"
Waist: 16"
Hip: n/a
Front length: 17"