Vintage Late 1800s Pettibone Patriarchs Militant Blue Hussar Jacket | Attila Tunic Austro-Hungarian Style

This jacket was manufactured in Cincinnati, Ohio, by the Pettibone Manufacturing Company which was the most prominent suppliers in the United States for military, fraternal lodge, society, and municipal marching band regalia.

Based on the back of the buttons which are stamped "PETTIBONE MFG CO CINCINNATI" this jacket was made between 1878 - 1900.

The "P" insignia on the buttons means it was custom made for a municipal Police drill team or a specific rank within an American secret society such as the Patriarchs Militant, the highly decorated uniformed branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The branch was founded by encampment members who were union and confederate civil war veterans. They wanted to create a semi-military unit dedicated to "chivalric display" --meaning they marched in parades, stood as honor guards, and performed elaborate drills. Their official regulations demanded flashy, high-quality military-style garments. Fraternal suppliers capitalized heavily on this, printing catalogs full of "Hussar-style" jackets, hats, and ceremonial swords.

DETAILS

c. Post Civil War Era (1878 - 1900)
Brand: Pettibone Manufacturing Co.
Size: 36" Chest - people were much smaller back then.
Fabric: Wool with a thick cotton lining.

The brand loved borrowing extravagant European military styles.

- 19th century Austro-Hungarian style Hussar military jacket. This flamboyant style entered mainstream counterculture fashion during the 1960s and is famously associated with rock icon Jimi Hendrix.
- Distinct ornamental frogging across the front.
- High mandarin stand up collar.
- Olive green textured trim.
- Large gold toned brass military buttons.
- Elaborate Austrian knots known as gimp braiding, embroidered in gold thread embellish both cuffs.
- Gold trim on the back framing the edges of the panels.
- Hidden row of buttons as the main closures with strings that keep the tab in place. Never seen this detail on clothing before.


Jacket was sent to Jan's Cleaners in Michigan; she is highly specialized in cleaning garments this old and she charges a premium price for this service.

Condition: Jacket is clean, has no smells. Has some overall fade in areas. A few small holes under the left armpit area. Lining has no holes. Missing one brass button on the bottom frog closure. It is in great condition for how old it is. This is the oldest garment I have ever sold and the construction on this piece is incredible. See pics for all details.

MEASUREMENTS - This is a men's jacket but is very small since humans were much smaller in the 1800s. If you plan to wear it, please make sure it will fit you. I used a soft tape to measure not a yardstick or carpenters' tape, you do not measure clothing properly that way.

Shoulders: 16"
Sleeve: 25.5"
Chest: 34-36"
Waist: 32"
Hips: 34"
Length: 26"