This is a pair of shoulder knots for a Non Commissioned Officer of Artillery from the late 1800's. They measure 5 3/4" long and 1 3/4" wide. The knots are constructed of gold bullion cord on a metal frame that is covered by a layer of red and a layer of dark blue material. The absence of any rank insignia denotes these are being for a 2nd Lieutenant. The red cloth is visible when the knots are worn on the full dress uniform to indicate the branch of Artillery. The buttons are both US General service buttons used between 1875 and 1902, no way to see the back marks. The brass frames for the shoulder knots are both stamped with the makers name. In a three line stamp it reads "THE M.C.LILLEY&CO./COLUMBUS./OHIO." The firm was known by that name from July, 1867 to June 1882. The US Army made a change in the dress uniform that introduced the shoulder knots, known as "Russian knots" in 1872 and kept them until 1899. This set was produced somewhere between 1872 and 1882. The gold bullion cord is pretty soiled on the top, but otherwise the set is in very good condition. One of the buttons has a small amount of verdigris to the left of the raised shield. The cloth backing has no moth damage and the stitching remains very tight. There are a couple small spots where the brass frame has worn a hole through the fabric. If you have any Indian Wars period collection these would fit in well.

Item # AA1688

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