Dressed to Kill, Dressed to Till
A superb and early reproduction of a French Infantry Uniform as established by the new Republic in 1791, this coat had many expert dealers and collectors scratching their heads when it first surfaced. The cut and method of construction and materials of the coat body and skirt linings all seemed to indicate that this was an original, late 18th century uniform stripped of its buttons and with a later 19th century, back lining attached. The uniform is largely hand-finished and features the characteristic bound buttonholes found on early French uniforms. However, when the lining was partly opened, machine stitching was found on the long seams and some of the top-stitching was also found to be machined. This coat was probably made some time in the 1870s-90s as a modeling piece for one of the French military artists of the period, such as Detaille or Meissonier. Many of the tailors who made such reproduction pieces for these artists had apprenticed at the time of the 1st French Empire and likely made uniforms for Napoleon’s Army. Original buttons and other trimming were available and reutilized, as well. With a proper set of uniform buttons reattached and placed on a form, this coat could serve as the centerpiece for a display of French Revolution period arms and accoutrements.
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