British Epaulette, Napoleonic Era, Gold

These epaulettes are suitable for either the British or the American military.

Typically, there has been one design for 'generic' epaulettes that most folks sell and we inherited the same stock. When our inventory ran out, we took the opportunity to correct some of the shortcomings we didn't like. Here's a list of the changes to our new epaulettes. We think you'll agree that these are superior to the previous.

The new epaulette bullion is the proper smooth wire English bullion which has a rich lustrous effect, not the mixed smooth and flat blend that was used by the French which looks tinselly. Also the bullion layers should be different thicknesses, thinner on the under row and heavier on the top, not the same on both.

The new epaulette's crescent is two rows of different weight bullion, a very popular style. The embroidery on the old crescent is acceptable but less rich.

The new epaulette strap is a metallic woven multi vellum lace. All British epaulettes used lace straps. The old style has a synthetic sparkly fabric with rows of embroidery. This was never used.

The new epaulette underside has padding under the crescent surrounded by an outer bolster edge and silk attachment ribbons. The standard way of attaching British epaulettes was to lace them through eyelets punched through the shoulder of the coat. The old style lacks all these authentic features.

These are sold individually.