1862 Uniform Regulations

The book in which I found the regulations is, "The Uniforms of the United States Navy" by James C. Tily. We found it online for less than $10. After the beginning of the Civil War, the Navy grew tremendously. The regulations dropped the use of the full-dress coat with standing collar, tails and elaborate trimmings of lace. "The undress frock coat was to serve for all purposes: full dress, undress and service dress." The uniform seen most often in photographs of the time is the service dress, which is what I am making, with shoulder straps and cap instead of cocked hat. The rank we have chosen to use is a Commander. A commander will have two strips of 3/4 inch navy lace, with a 1/4 inch strip between them on a frock coat of deep navy blue, almost black, with a rolling collar.