Illinois jacket question

[billmatt04]

Hello all,
I have been researching Illinois jackets for a few years now, combing through all the pictures I can find of Illinois soldiers wearing them. There is a website dedicated to Illinois regiments and soldiers and there are quite a few pictures of men wearing these garments. However, one detail eludes me. Were the epaulets and belt loops lined underneath with cloth or were they simply just blue flannel? I just acquired a militia jacket and the loops have a white cotton backing on them and I was contemplating removing them if they were not accurate. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. As always, you fellas come through with valuable information.

Sincerely,
Matthew Cassady
Pvt. 104th Illinois Vol. Inf.

[pprice]

Matthew,
Probably John Pillers would be a good source to look to on this. He's spent some time researching the IL state jackets - as well as the other related state jackets. If memory servers, I think Chris Daley had also done a hunk of research on the NY state jackets - which some believe to all be one in the same.
When I get home tonight I'll look for what little I've got on the subject and see about posting it. There are a few threads that still exist on the subject if you use the search function.

[rebyank]

What is the website dedicated to ILL state jackets?, I would like to see this.

sidedrummer@lycos.com

[Robert Braun]

If memory servers, I think Chris Daley had also done a hunk of research on the NY state jackets - which some believe to all be one in the same.

Umm... IMHO... no.

While not an expert at all on the Illinois jacket, I have done substantial research on the State of New York Jacket. I would suggest that the NY jacket is perhaps a genre unto itself-- a more tailored garment, with piped collar and shoulder tabs, a piped belt loop, and a top entry breast pocket in the later version. Lined only in the breast, with twill tape hand-sewn over the back seams, in these details alone it is unlike any other orignal jacket I have viewed.

Regards, Bob.

[Jefferson Guards]

I believe there are more than one "type" of New York State issue jacket.

An original in the collection of the State of New York and sketched by George Woodbridge has the pocket on the right breast with very thin piping around the collar, epaulets and belt supports. This jacket is also half lined with brown cotton twill and the seams are reinforced with herringbone twill tape.

Another example of a NYS jacket is different and also in the collection of the State of New York. The pocket is on the left side and the piping is thicker and of a cord-like manufacture. There are also two "fishes" taken in on the front of the jacket. The lining is full, with the exception of the sleeves where it was apparently removed. Inked onto the inside lining of this jacket is: H.H. Adist, Co. A, 44th Reg't

[CJDaley]

I have done substantial research on the State of New York Jacket. I would suggest that the NY jacket is perhaps a genre unto itself....it is unlike any other orignal jacket I have viewed.

I agree with Bob on this one. Bob has done a fair amount of research on the topic and if I recall, he even wrote an article for Living History Magazine on the topic.

I think the source of the ILL jacket being the same as the NYS jacket comes from this article, and while ILL contracted to get these jackets, who knows what the finished garments looked like or if the contract was ever filled:

There are also several images of ILL soldiers wearing jackets with piped collars and shoulder straps that appear to mimic the NYS jacket, but without a extant jacket, who can say for sure.....

[Brian Baird]

Matthew,
There are many of us that have studied Illinois jackets for years, Scott Cross, Paul McKee, John Pillars, Greg Schuller, to name a few. As far as I know, no one has found an original ID’d jacket. I have heard of a plain untrimmed jacket, with shoulder straps up in the Chicago area but it is not ID’d. There is a gentleman that lives in northwest Illinois that has 2 ID’s Illinois jackets but will not let anyone study them. A collector friend of mine did see them when he was invited over to view the collection several years ago. So there is really no way to answer your questions on the construction details.
Brian Baird

[TheFenian]

I have also done a lot of research on the NYS jacket including examining several originals and there were indeed many variations. All that I saw were piped and all had the half lining with the herringbone twill tape over the rear inside seams. Some had two belt loops some only one. The specimens that had only one belt loop were obviously made that way as there was no apparent signs of any modifications. I made one for myself patterned off of measurements made from one with the left front breast pocket and two belt loops. Other US state issues jackets I have seen all seemed to have a different cut to the body from the NYS issue Jacket.

Bill Eiff

[rogue]

Matthew,
There are many of us that have studied Illinois jackets for years, Scott Cross, Paul McKee, John Pillars, Greg Schuller, to name a few. As far as I know, no one has found an original ID’d jacket. I have heard of a plain untrimmed jacket, with shoulder straps up in the Chicago area but it is not ID’d. There is a gentleman that lives in northwest Illinois that has 2 ID’s Illinois jackets but will not let anyone study them. A collector friend of mine did see them when he was invited over to view the collection several years ago. So there is really no way to answer your questions on the construction details.
Brian Baird

Brian hit the nail on the head, for all the jackets made and worn, the survival rate of Illinois jackets is about nil. While publishing their wonderous newsletter the Mudsills some years back made finding an Illinois jacket top priority. One was reported in Utica, Illinois, but it turned out to be a cut off frock coat. The hunt continues.
Steve Sullivan

[billmatt04]

Gentlemen,
Thank you for the feedback. Do any of you know how I might get ahold of the fellows who have studied the Illinois jacket? I wish I knew the name of the collector who has those jackets in his private collection (grrr). ANyway, thanks again gents, I do appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Matthew Cassady
Pvt. 104th Illinois Vol. Inf.