Super Identified 7th Regiment Uniform & Accoutrement Grouping

Super –  Identified 7th Regiment Uniform & Accoutrement Grouping.  This grouping belonged to Charles Le Boutillier, (1855 – 1939), a member of Company “I”, 7th New York Regiment. Charles was born in 1855 in New York City. His father Thomas came from Dresden, Germany and established LE BOUTILLIER BROTHERS  “Fine Dry Goods”  business at 23rd Street in the city, where he would work for many years. During that time while Charles was in his twenty’s he was enrolled in the 7th Regt. from approximately 1875 to 1883.  This latter date was arrived due to a letter on the family letterhead, that he wished for his uniforms and equipments to be sold by a “Dan Edwards” who may have been a quartermaster in the regiment. Charles later moved to Litchfield, Conn, where he would be laid to rest in 1939. Presumably, the success of the business required more of his assistance, causing his resigning from the regiment.

This lot consist of the following, as listed in his letter of November 17, 1883:

• 1 Overcoat;  Cornflower blue wool, with upper interior red wool lining, made by Brooks Brothers, Broadway . In fine condition with all of its buttons. His name is located in the right sleeve lining near the shoulder, with “Co “I” written in ink.
• 1 Dress Coat;  Cadet gray wool with gilt and black trimming, made by Brooks Brothers, all buttons remain. The original enlisted epaulets are black, with white trim and fringe. The left shoulder epaulet has some wear (see photo), otherwise in fine condition. His name is written on the quilted lining in the back area.  Just below the makers label are the initials “C LeB,” likely an earlier marking. This coat is essentially the same as the one made during the Civil War era, but the collar is a bit shorter, and the ratio width at elbow and cuff are slightly different from the earlier style.
• 1 Fatigue Coat; Cadet gray wool, with black trim around the collar and shoulder tabs, with the plain black flashing on the cuffs exactly in style with the Civil War coats. Quilted lining with name written inside, and his name written there, This coat shows more wear around the collar area, and a few small moth holes at the right side waist area (see photos), and some minor staining on the interior lining. The tabs are missing the vest size buttons to hold them in place. This coat has black belt loops to support the waist belt, and a watch pocket  on lower right side. Still would rate as VG-Fine.
• 1 Pr. Pants: Matching gray wool with black stripes. Name written on watch pocket lining. Mothing on the left leg side near the crotch area, and smaller ones lower in that leg.  (there is ample supply of wool for mending on the inside seams). Black tinned Japanned buttons for each side pocket are missing, and remainder of the pants is VG-Fine.
• 1Fatigue Cap: Same gray wool with black trim, with NG side buttons (National Guard), These caps did not use chin straps. His name is written on the underside of the sweatband. Inside crown is stamped, “BAKER & McKENNEY / MILITARY GOODS / 141 GRAND STREET / NEW YORK.” Some mothing on right front. Brass numeral “7” on the front.
• 1 Dress Hat & pompom: A similar style that came into use in the early 1870s, with BAKER & McKENNEY label in crown, same address as the fatigue cap.  Identified on label, “Charlie Le Boutillier, etc….NGSNY.” Crossed cannon side buttons, with 7th Regiment plate with starburst and intermittent cannon and spear points, complate with light blue wool pompom.  Body is wool felt finished with finished leather trim. Fine +.
• Helmet:  White wool covered pith helmet with gilt spike and base, and 7th Regimental plate, wreath with unit motto in Latin, with the “7” in wool mounted on the underside. Light soiling overall, a few small stains.  Fine lining and chinstrap. I did not look terribly hard for the name as the sweatband is a thin leather and I don’t want to tear it. Stamped twice with the makers – appears to be Allien & Co., New York.  Never had side buttons.
• 1 Bck Belt (?):  If this is the buckle for the belt, it is brass with a mounted silver metal “I”.
• 3 White Belts & Breast Plate. The belts are a fine white buff, each is identified to Charles. All are in fine condition with some light soiling and some sporadic staining.  Not mentioned on the list, but attached to them are the cartridge box and bayonet scabbard. The cartridge box has the brass “NG with “7” superimposed,” has a wooden block that held 18 cartridges. Typical markings on cover when packed with other objects- flag surface get soft in attic heat and imprints are left. The scabbard is in tact, and surface leather needs to be treated, it is fine with the bayonet in it.  The bayonet is stamped US at the base of the blade, and would fit a Civil War musket.  VG- Fine overall.
• *Knapsack, unfortunately there is no knapsack, and was lost some point way before the last owner had the grouping.
• The letter is perhaps the most incredible item to come with this lot, as it lists all that Charles LeBoutillier consigned to Dan Edwards. it further enhances the grouping ID, and lets us know just what was originally in the lot. It would appear that Mr. Edwards was unsuccessful in selling the grouping, and at some point returned it to Charles. Fortunately all the items were well preserved even after Charles’s death in 1939.  This much material rarely remains together over that many years, certainly the letter helps to contribute to the overall value of this grouping.

I am including a sheet with the history of a Major John A. LeBoutillier, who was the son of John Gathier LeBoutillier, Charles’ older brother -and Charles nephew. John A. was also a later member of Co. “I”, 7th Regt., and later a WWII major in the Ordnance Department. He also worked at the family business. I include this as it may be of some help to know if his father was also in the 7th.

A super group that makes for a great display.