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CONFEDERATE REGULATION DOUBLE BREASTED OFFICER'S FROCK COAT OF CLAUDIUS DENSON, SECOND REGIMENT CS E

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
CONFEDERATE REGULATION DOUBLE BREASTED OFFICER'S FROCK COAT OF CLAUDIUS DENSON, SECOND REGIMENT CS E
Claudius Baker Denson was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. He founded the Franklin Military Academy in Duplin County, NC. In April 1861, Denson and his students enlisted in the Confederate army as the "Duplin Grays" as Company B, 20th North Carolina Volunteers. Denson left this company where he was Captain and eventually served as a First Lieutenant in Company A Second Regiment Confederate Engineers. This would have been the coat that Lt. Denson wore through the end of his service in 1862 while writing love letters to his future bride Matilda Cowan who he married in 1863. Lt. Denson's letters to Matilda are found in large archive of Cowan and Denson family papers in the North Carolina Room of the New Hanover County Public Library in Wilmington, NC. This is a wonderful opportunity to obtain a fine identified regulation Confederate frock coat with buff facings (staff & field), First Lt. collar insignia and single strand quatrafoil on sleeve. This coat overall is in fine condition and could be easily restored by competent conservator and would display beautifully. PROVENANCE: Cowan and Denson Family. CONDITION: Coat is very good overall with scattered moth damage especially on top of left shoulder where there are two holes about 1" x 1". The cadet gray color is good with scattered areas of soiling and staining. Buff faced cuffs are sound with scattered moth damage. Collar facings have areas of moth damage, especially on back as can be seen in photos. The interior of coat has scattered moth damage especially on back of collar which has large reductions. Lining is about 70% intact with losses as can be seen in photos. Internal tail pockets and breast pocket are lined with bright blue polished cotton. Light blue sleeve linings are intact. "DENSON" is inked on back of heavy cotton canvas stiffener for collar. Collar retains only the left bullion First Lt. bar and only the right strand of single Lt.'s quatrafoil on sleeve. Double breasted frock retains ten of its orig "EXTRA QUALITY" back marked 22mm General Staff Officer's buttons on face (though three are loose) and three of its orig General Staff buttons on tails. 4-48698 JS213