Adam Stephen's Waistcoat and Gorget

Adam Stephen's Waistcoat and Gorget

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Description
Physical Description
Red wool waistcoat with gold lace and gilded civilian buttons.
Gilt brass gorget. The gorget is engraved with the British royal crest and the initials "GR" for Georgeus Rex or King George.
Specific History
Uniform waistcoat worn by Lieutenant Colonel Adam Stephen during the French and Indian War. Stephen was George Washington’s second-in-command of the Virginia Regiment.
General History
The Virginia Regiment saw active service in western Pennsylvania from 1754 to 1759. In 1755, the officers of the Virginia Regiment received orders from Washington to provide themselves with a suit of regimentals of good blue cloth. The coat was to be faced and cuffed in scarlet and trimmed with silver, and they were to wear blue wool breeches and a scarlet wool waistcoat with silver lace. The waistcoat, which extended to below the hips, was typically worn over a plain shirt.
A gorget is part of the full dress uniform. It is a vestige of plate armor, symbolizing rank and authority.
Object Name
Waistcoat
Other Terms
Vest; Waistcoat; Man
date made
circa 1754
ca 1754
Associated Name
Stephen, Adam
Associated Place
United States: Virginia
Physical Description
red (overall color)
Measurements
overall: 29 1/2 in x 24 in; 74.93 cm x 60.96 cm
ID Number
AF.12197
catalog number
12197
accession number
52984
Credit Line
Library of Congress
Revolution and the New Nation
See more items in
Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Military
Military
Exhibition
Price of Freedom
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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