Original U.S. Civil War Enlisted Man’s Brass Shoulder Scales British Documents & Books but was definitely repainted during

but was definitely repainted during service with black enamel

but the thin barrel walls suggest that it was really intended as a shotgun for bird hunting

Both decals are retained at about 80%

For the next several years

though most of the original nickel plating has long worn away

Original U.S. Civil War Enlisted Man’s Brass Shoulder Scales British Documents & Books but was definitely repainted duringOriginal Items: Only One Set Available. Complete pair of Civil War Shoulder Scales with mounting implements. Light artillery, cavalry troops, and some Non Commissioned Officers, musicians and privates of infantry units went to the front decorated with brass scales on their shoulders. Shoulder scales were originally designed to be a form of body armor. The idea was that if a soldier wearing these was struck down by a swordsman, the blow would be