Very well made shell jacket of coarse medium blue wool with a distinct machined weave pattern, decorated with rows of alternating red and white machine-stitched braid across the front and cuffs. Jacket has 1.25 inch collar with nine half-inch-size plain, flat brass buttons without back marks. Coat is fully lined with sections of polished brown cotton including the sleeves. Edges are finished. We note both hand-stitching (portions of lining) and machine construction (button holes).
Based on the fabric, lining, and style of construction the coat likely dates to the Civil War period or shortly afterwards. Whether it is a genuine Civil War musician's jacket may be a matter of interpretation. The coat is small even by 19th century standards, too small, in our opinion, to fit anyone but a very young child. Could the child have been a Civil War musician? In our opinion, probably not based on size. Alternatively, we interpret the coat as being a patriotic costume from the Civil War era and NOT an actual war used uniform coat for which, in our opinion, provenance is required. There is no identification or history that accompanies the coat. Two unknown letters, possibly "HD", are sewn into the back below the collar.
Condition: Coat is in VG. condition with scattered moth holes noted in the sleeves and shoulder areas. Two of the decorative white and red strips of braid on right side show moth damage.