American Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth (1800 to 1900 USA)

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Whale Tooth

The American civil war union uniform was influenced by that of the French army. During the U.S. War of Independence the French had aided the American forces and many of the officers of the Union Army at the start of the Civil War were veterans of the War of Independence and so, in order to avoid British influence it was decided to base the union uniform on that of the French army. Officers tended to privately purchase more elaborate hats often with plumes after the French model and these subsequently became known as ‘chasseur’ caps.

An Unusual and Interesting American Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth
Depicting an American civil war union officer of an infantry regiment dressed in the union fatigue uniform of 1858
Circa 1860-70

Size: 15cm high – 6 ins high