Seth Thomas Clock Co. guard's uniform
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Alfred Johnson
Swedish-American, 1889 - 1990
Clothing MakerMade by
Magson Uniform Co.
American, founded 1885
DistributorDistributed by
Seth Thomas Clock Co.
American, founded 1853
MakerMade by
J. R. Gaunt & Son
British, founded 1884
Date20th century
Mediumwool; leather; brass; cotton; satin
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions ((a) length x width): 44 × 18 1/2in. (111.8 × 47cm)
Other ((a) length of sleeves from shoulder): 24 1/2in. (62.2cm)
Primary Dimensions ((b) length x width): 31 × 20in. (78.7 × 50.8cm)
Other ((b) length of sleeve from shoulder): 24 1/2in. (62.2cm)
Primary Dimensions ((c) length x width): 30 × 21in. (76.2 × 53.3cm)
Other ((c) length of sleeve from shoulder): 22 1/2in. (57.2cm)
Primary Dimensions ((d) diameter): 10 1/2in. (26.7cm)
Primary Dimensions ((e) circumference at smallest point): 34 1/2in. (87.6cm)
Other ((e) circumference at widest point): 40in. (101.6cm)
Other ((a) length of sleeves from shoulder): 24 1/2in. (62.2cm)
Primary Dimensions ((b) length x width): 31 × 20in. (78.7 × 50.8cm)
Other ((b) length of sleeve from shoulder): 24 1/2in. (62.2cm)
Primary Dimensions ((c) length x width): 30 × 21in. (76.2 × 53.3cm)
Other ((c) length of sleeve from shoulder): 22 1/2in. (57.2cm)
Primary Dimensions ((d) diameter): 10 1/2in. (26.7cm)
Primary Dimensions ((e) circumference at smallest point): 34 1/2in. (87.6cm)
Other ((e) circumference at widest point): 40in. (101.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Sylvia Squires and Debra Harger
DescriptionA wool guard's uniform for the Seth Thomas Clock Company worn by Alfred Johnson. Uniform includes an overcoat, jacket, shirt, hat, and belt. The uniform was made by Magson Uniform Company of New Britain, Conn. The buttons on the overcoat, coat, and shirt were manufactured by J. R. Gaunt & Son of England.
(a) The overcoat is a black wool double-breasted coat. Five sets of gold buttons down the front for closure. Standard collar and peaked lapels. Each arm has a shoulder patch for the Seth Thomas Clock Co. in the shape of a shield with gold embroidery. The patch has the initials "S. T." Two pockets at the waist that open through the coat allowing the wearer to access their trouser pockets. Extends below the knee. Half belt in the back. On the left breast is a piece of metal, which would have held a name identification tag. Pocket on interior of left breast. Top half of overcoat interior is satin fabric and the bottom half is wool. Slit on bottom of overcoat in the back, which can be closed together using two black buttons.
(b) The jacket is black with the same shoulder patches on each arm as the overcoat. Notched collar with square corners on the lapel and collar. Four gold buttons down the front for closure inscribed with a "P" in the center, which is surrounded by a laurel wreath. Four fake pockets on the front, two on each side with a single button closure. There is a metal piece on the wearer's left breast above the pocket, which would have held a name identification tag. Epaulet on shoulders with a button closest to the collar. Pocket on interior of coat on each side of breast. Metal belt hook on each side of waist. Two decorative buttons on each of the sleeve cuffs.
(c) The shirt is black with the same shoulder patches on each arm as the overcoat. Standard collar. Four gold buttons down the front for closure inscribed with a "P" in the center, which is surrounded by a laurel wreath, and one black plastic button at the bottom. Two breast pockets with a button closure. Long sleeve shirt with two buttons on each sleeve cuff. Epaulet on shoulders with a button closest to the collar. Black plastic button at base of collar.
(d) The hat has a black fabric top and a black patent leather visor with a 1/2" black plastic front strap with a decorative gold button on each end, and a front eyelet. Interior band is brown. There is a brown plastic pocket on the top of the hat interior.
(e) Brown leather Sam Browne belt with gold buckles. Main belt is wide, and supported by a narrower strap passing diagonally over the right shoulder. Five sets of belt loop holes and five sets of buckle holes. Half of the belt has an embroidered decoration.
(a) The overcoat is a black wool double-breasted coat. Five sets of gold buttons down the front for closure. Standard collar and peaked lapels. Each arm has a shoulder patch for the Seth Thomas Clock Co. in the shape of a shield with gold embroidery. The patch has the initials "S. T." Two pockets at the waist that open through the coat allowing the wearer to access their trouser pockets. Extends below the knee. Half belt in the back. On the left breast is a piece of metal, which would have held a name identification tag. Pocket on interior of left breast. Top half of overcoat interior is satin fabric and the bottom half is wool. Slit on bottom of overcoat in the back, which can be closed together using two black buttons.
(b) The jacket is black with the same shoulder patches on each arm as the overcoat. Notched collar with square corners on the lapel and collar. Four gold buttons down the front for closure inscribed with a "P" in the center, which is surrounded by a laurel wreath. Four fake pockets on the front, two on each side with a single button closure. There is a metal piece on the wearer's left breast above the pocket, which would have held a name identification tag. Epaulet on shoulders with a button closest to the collar. Pocket on interior of coat on each side of breast. Metal belt hook on each side of waist. Two decorative buttons on each of the sleeve cuffs.
(c) The shirt is black with the same shoulder patches on each arm as the overcoat. Standard collar. Four gold buttons down the front for closure inscribed with a "P" in the center, which is surrounded by a laurel wreath, and one black plastic button at the bottom. Two breast pockets with a button closure. Long sleeve shirt with two buttons on each sleeve cuff. Epaulet on shoulders with a button closest to the collar. Black plastic button at base of collar.
(d) The hat has a black fabric top and a black patent leather visor with a 1/2" black plastic front strap with a decorative gold button on each end, and a front eyelet. Interior band is brown. There is a brown plastic pocket on the top of the hat interior.
(e) Brown leather Sam Browne belt with gold buckles. Main belt is wide, and supported by a narrower strap passing diagonally over the right shoulder. Five sets of belt loop holes and five sets of buckle holes. Half of the belt has an embroidered decoration.
Object number2016.99.8a-e
Markings(a) Shoulder patches, embroidered in gold thread: "S. T."(a) Embroidered in gold thread on black tag sewn into back of collar: "MAGSON UNIFORM CO./ NEW BRITAIN SPRINGFIELD/ HARTFORD/ NEW YORK"
(b) Shoulder patches, embroidered in gold thread: "S. T."
(b) Embroidered in green thread on white tag sewn into wearer's right interior breast pocket: "MAGSON/ UNIFORM COMPANY/ NEW BRITAIN - HARTFORD - SPRINGFIELD - NEW YORK/ MADE ESPECIALLY FOR/ [handwritten in black ink] A. Johnson"
(c) Shoulder patches, embroidered in gold thread: "S. T."
(c) Embroidered in green thread on white tag sewn into back of collar: "MAGSON/ UNIFORM COMPANY/ NEW BRITAIN - HARTFORD - SPRINGFIELD - NEW YORK/ MADE ESPECIALLY FOR"
(e) Handwritten in black ink on interior of belt: "Johnson/ Seth-Thomas"
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