Danish Exchange at Royal Danish Arsenal Museum

[Benedict]

Gents,

I just visited the facebook page for the Tøjhusmuseet, or Royal Danish Arsenal Museum. Here's a google translation of an October entry on their wall:

When Tøjhusmuseet new permanent exhibition opens next year, will include could see a series of showcases examples of the many exciting collections that exist in the museum's possession. These days, the exhibition designers started to make the first tests of how the collection showcases to look.

The showcase of American uniforms from 1858bliver probably one of the international feature patches to our showroom.

In 1858 acquired Mon complete uniforms from the United States respectively. an infantryman and a cavalryman, but without weapons. Uniforms of these types were in use during the Indian wars and the beginning of the American Civil War (1861-65). Complete uniforms are not conserved in the U.S. or elsewhere, so even the Americans have to travel to Copenhagen to see these unique conserved uniforms that have never been used. When you see the clothes up close, it is clear that it is as good as new!

Curator Karsten Skjold Petersen has written text or selected objects. Now the objects found from the magazine and is ready to be laid out in a test set. Collection showcases will consist of two showcases each of approx. six meters wide and three meters. The test apparatus consists of a "mock up" of the showcase, posted on the magazine floor.

If you visit the Tøjhusmuseet facebook page, you can see two photos of the respective uniform and accoutrements items ...

[J.H.Berger]

Wow, Ben, we need to drive up to Denmark next year!

[hireddutchcutthroat]

I visited the Tojhusmuseet while I was living in Sweden back in 2000. It is a spectacular museum!

[CompanyWag]

I have always been thankful the Danes managed to preserve these items intact throughout the world wars until the present. I can only imagine what happened to the examples of Danish uniforms our army received in the 1850's in trade.

[J. Donaldson]

Looking at the images on the page, are the trowsers pleated at the waist band?

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Bob -

The pleats are a feature of the M1855 trouser, which was part of this particular exchange.

[J. Donaldson]

Marc, thanks for the clarification.

[JimKindred]

Guys, the original poster has requested that you please stay on the topic of the US uniform display at the Royal Danish Arsenal Museum. Thank you.

[CompanyWag]

The Danish exchange uniforms are particularly noteworthy in that they are examples of off-the-shelf pre-war Schkuykill products and not preserved "sealed samples" as can be found at the Smithsonian. When viewing these, bear in mind that there are of course a number of subtle differences as well as pattern changes between these and wartime production. I'd love a closer look at that infantry uniform coat as well as the dress hats. I have viewed a number of images of the sack coat in preparation for an article years ago.

I spoke with a researcher who had corresponded with the curator of the museum decades ago. At the time, the curator had expressed astonishment that these examples had generated so much interest here in the US to the point that it was becoming bothersome. According to the researcher, the curator even cut a swatch off the blanket (unsolicited) and mailed it to the US! I am glad that they are finally putting these items on public display.

[AZReenactor]

Has anyone on this forum ever examined the Danish Exchange items close up?