Uniform Identification Assistance

[ATJcostumer]

Hello,  I am new to this Forum and am writing from the USA.  I own a 150 year old theatrical costumer and we have a large stock of vintage clothing and uniforms ... we recently discovered these coats and a pair of pants and hat ... and have no real means of identification.  I'm posting images here, with the hope that someone will recognize them and help me to catagorize them !!  

Thanks in advance,

Rick

[Dave Wilkinson]

The pattern of the uniform and style of the kepi suggests its of French origin. I'm sure someone with greater knowledge than I will expand on that.

Dave.

[ATJcostumer]

Thanks !!

 

[ATJcostumer]

 Thanks again! Even I was worried about those buttons!

I posted some pictures of two not very exciting uniforms in the Canadian section. Would you mind taking a look at the first one with the breast pockets and giving me your opinion. I have a lot of them and the buttons on them seem to be general service buttons post war. The uniforms seem to be much earlier 1880's ,1890's. I would value you opinion.

Thanks,

rick

 

 

[Glenn J]

Hi,

as Simius as pointed out, the buttons on the captain's tunic are a bit of an issue. However, with regards to the grenade on the collar; that is the insignia of a non staff qualified (non breveté) officer attached to the general staff. Qualified staff officers (breveté) wore "Lightening rods" or foudre on their regimental uniforms.

They are  model 1898 officers' tunics for the Chasseurs à cheval. Prior to this, a braided hussar style jacket (dolman) was worn.

Regards

Glenn

Edited May 23, 2020 by Glenn J

[peter monahan]

A shame that the 'star' buttons have been added.  The fact that they are permanently attached by rivets is both unfortunate and a clear sign that they are later additions.

 

[ATJcostumer]

Thanks so much for your posts. I think I may be able to remove the buttons with little or no damage to the tunic .As regards to the grenades on the collar, it is hard to tell when they were added. I know they have been there for over 50 years and believe them  to be original to the coat. I am beginning to think that these uniforms are part of a production of  the Massenet opera      " La Navaraise" produced at the Met in the 1890's. I have found other uniforms from that period identifying them as such.: and the tenor is a captain. This explains why I have the uniforms, but unfortunately not the buttons.

Thanks again,

Rick