Half-pay Uniform From The Early 19th Century To The Second Empire. France.

Early 19th-century uniform of a French half-pay officer (Demi-Solde) during the Second Empire. Primarily a National Guard officer's uniform, modified from the end of the Empire onward to commemorate the anniversaries of battles and the funerals of former half-pay officers of the First Empire. Entirely made of dark blue cloth, buttoning straight down the front with six buttonholes, scarlet facings, white facing tabs piped in scarlet with three buttons (one button missing per sleeve). Scarlet collar, 8 cm high. Scarlet cloth turnbacks, each adorned with two crowned "N" ornaments embroidered in silver thread, bullion, and sequins on dark blue cloth; false vertical back pockets with three points piped in scarlet; scarlet cloth shoulder loops covered with silver braid. Lined in white linen. Large and small buttons of the National Guard from the First Empire, mounted on plates with diameters of 2.5 and 1.7 cm. Fair condition with repairs and 2 to 3 moth holes, see photos. France. Early 19th century to the Second Empire, used to demonstrate the "Glory of Napoleon I".