RARE! RARE! RARE! Summer ("India White") Uniform Coat/Blouse/Jacket of the highest ranking Cadet Officer in the chain of command of the Corps of Cadets, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.
+ Older, MINT
condition, spare FIRST CAPTAIN'S / BRIGADE COMMANDER'S
Summer "India White" Blouse with the VERY SCARCE
black-enameled "FIRST CAPTAIN'S"
(with the coveted SIX
bars) rank insignia on both Epaulets along with the distinctive BLACK First Class USMA CRESTS
and "U.S."
collar devices!!!
+ The VENT
of the skirt of the Coat is at the center-back.
+ PERFECT
lacquered FINISH
on the bright metal INSIGNIA!
+ This belonged to a male First Captain.
.. of large stature (see dimensions below).
+ Stiffly starched with ZERO
flaws, stains, frays, holes, etc.! + The label is the older embroidered "CADET STORE / WEST POINT/ NAME / MAKER / DATE" and not the current "Cadet Uniform Factory" label. The First Captain's name, Maker, and Date are too faint to read.
+ All of six (6) of the large Gold-gilt Buttons
and the four (4) smaller Gold-gilt Buttons
for the Pockets and Epaulets, each with its Attached Cotter Pin
are present. In high relief on each is the USMA Academy Crest
with the words, "CADET / USMA"
The Brass-backs with FIXED WIRE-LOOPS
, read, "WATERBURY CO'S CONN. W 21".
+ Dimensions (approximate): Armpit to Armpit = 26 in.
Sleeve (Base of the Epaulet to the Cuff) = 27 in.
Length (Base of the Collar, rear to the Hem) = 31-1/2 in.
*****
The Corps of Cadets
at the United States Military Academy (USMA)
, at West Point, New York, is organized into a brigade.
The senior ranking cadet, the brigade commander, is known traditionally
as the first captain, a leadership position created in 1872. The first
captain is responsible for the overall performance of the 4,400-strong Corps of Cadets
, including the implementing of a class agenda and acting
as a liaison between the corps and the administration.
The rigid screening process begins with the applications for
enrollment being submitted to either Federal-level legislators, or to
the president or vice president of the United States. Once enrolled at
the academy, each student's performance is closely tracked through the
first three years, at the end of which, the individual top-performing
cadet is named first captain for the ensuing academic year. Among the
notable historical figures who held that position were John J. Pershing, Douglas MacArthur, and William Westmoreland.
The United States Military Academy
was founded in 1802, through the Military Peace Establishment Act
signed into law by President Thomas Jefferson.
The legislation served the dual purpose of maintaining a well-trained
standing militia at the ready, and of bringing to fruition Jefferson's
vision of a national university.
During the academy's first 174 years, only men were admitted, with Henry Ossian Flipper in 1877 being the first African-American graduate. Public Law 94-106 (89 Stat. 531)
, signed by President Gerald Ford
on 7 October 1975, mandated the admission of women at all of the
previously male-only United States military service academies. On 7
July 1976, the first 119 women were admitted as students to West Point.
The school is one of three officer-training United States service academies under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense
, which sets the criteria for the applicants. The other two schools are the U.S. Naval Academy
and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Applications for admission to any of the three schools are submitted to
the offices of the United States president and vice president, as well
as to congressional and senatorial representatives.
**** WATERBURY CO'S INC.
The Waterbury Button Company
provides clothing designers with many historical items as well as modern fashion designs.
It
all started when the “War of 1812” interrupted the supply of buttons
coming into the United States from England. Aaron Benedict formed the
beginning of what was to become The Waterbury Button Company
and began
to melt down pewter pots and pans in order to make buttons for military
uniforms.
Between 1812 to 1849, the company started manufacturing
brass as well as pewter buttons and became the nation’s first caster of
brass. In 1849, The Waterbury Button Company
was formed solely for the
manufacturing of buttons and uniform accessories. With a reputation as a
reliable supplier of high-quality buttons. The Waterbury Button Company
c
ontinues to make buttons for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces
as
well as for fashion designers and career uniforms. Waterbury Button Company
has a rich history in manufacturing innovation
and staying power. When the Titanic
sailed in 1912, the 100-year-old
Waterbury Button Company
was asked to make the buttons for the crew of
the White Star Line
on their double-breasted coats. 85 years later, when
the costumes for the movie Titanic
were needed, Waterbury Button
used
the same dies to make buttons for actors portraying the ship’s crew.
***** Waterbury Button Company - The Short story Prior
to 1812, the United States military buttons were made in England. In
1812 we went to war with the British and the only way they were willing
to deliver our buttons was through the business end of a cannon. To
solve this little problem, Aaron Benedict established the Waterbury
Button Company in 1812. The
very best place to produce brass buttons was, of course, the "Brass
Capital of The World"; Waterbury Connecticut from which the newly formed
company adopted it's name. After the War of 1812, the company was
retained to make the metal buttons for branches of the U.S. Military
forces because of their demonstrated ability to reliably deliver the
highest quality products. These same abilities earned them more and more
contracts from around the world. The
company has never lost those incredible attributes of reliability and
consistent high quality. As a result, they continue in operation today
as the oldest metal button manufacturer in the United States. Their
complete operation is still maintained in Connecticut and they continue
to make metal buttons for just about everybody in the world. Just a
partial list includes the fashion houses like Liz Claiborne, Donna
Karen, & J C. Penny, Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers. They make the
buttons for Disney Cruise Line, the Masters Golf Tournament, and most
every railroad, state police department, and fire department across the
United States. They even
made buttons for all of the White Star Lines ships including the
Titanic as well as the military buttons formany foreign countries. All
buttons in the Premium & Distinctive line are minted in solid brass
and plated in Premium quality 24 KT jeweler's gold. In addition, they
come with heavy reinforced, uniform grade, button backs with a fully
soldered loop. They are simply the top of the line. All brought to you
by Waterbury Button Company; the oldest metal button manufacturer in the
United States.
Returns Not Accepted