"Distinguishing NCOs?" Topic

Hello,

It is now time to paint the figures and I think I understand the uniform colors.

However, how do you distinguish NCOs for Union and confederate. Is it with the three chevrons on their sleeves?

thank you

Here are some basics.

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Perhaps this will help: the illustration, made in 1895, shows both uniforms and ranks information of both armies (so do not worry about the title with only the Confederates ;-)). The illustration can be made much larger by clicking on it.

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thank you both. I think I am set!

Union sergeants were to wear a 1/2 inch stripe on the outer seams of their trousers, a red worsted sash, an NCO's sword, and of course, the chevrons

Corporals were to wear a 1/4 inch stripe on the outside seam of the trousers and the appropriate chevrons, but no sash or sword.

In the field, you could ditch the trouser stripes, but most definitely the finicky sash, and the useless sword.

The trouser stripes and chevrons would be in the color of whichever arm of the service the NCO belongs to, I.e, light blue, red, yellow, etc.

Confederate NCO's would simply wear the appropriate chevrons. Most surviving examples show black (possibly dark blue) chevrons.

Confederate zouave stripes were on the cuff flipped, that being point up.

Important to remember that ACW chevrons pointed down; the US Army changed the direction to pointing up which may have been due to the historical origins of the chevrons indicating "the top of the house"

Sorry…I texted before morning coffee. Union sergeant's trouser stripes were 1-1/2 inches; corporals were 1/2 inch.

I apologize. No more texting until fully awake.

"Important to remember that ACW chevrons pointed down"

Except Marines. Their's were points up. :-)

Also Union infantry trouser stripes were dark blue to contrast with the sky blue trousers.

Tom