Original Item: Only One Available. The Massachusetts State Defense Force (MSDF) was a state defense force of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was inactivated in 2016 by Governor Charlie Baker. The purpose of the Massachusetts State Defense Force was to augment the Massachusetts National Guard during emergencies in the state, especially when some or all of the National Guard was deployed.

The MSDF would operate within Massachusetts and were not to be called into federal service. The MSDF could assist the United States National Guard forces, assumes state missions when the National Guard was deployed, provide emergency support during disasters, and assist in color guards and funeral details.

The Massachusetts General Court formed the MSDF's predecessor in 1863, which served until its disbandment in 1866. During the American Civil War, Massachusetts provided multiple units to support the Union cause. The Massachusetts militia was reformed in 1898 as the Massachusetts Provisional Militia for the Spanish–American War before again being disbanded in 1899. During the course of the war, five infantry regiments and one artillery regiment from the Massachusetts Provisional Militia were deployed.

Regulations issued in February 1812 called for a single breasted “coatee” with red collar
and cuffs. The 10-button front closure was to have binding lace of white for infantry and yellow for artillery, with white or gold metal buttons respectively. A coatee is defined as being a “short-tailed” coat.

However, the year 1812 is a very confusing one in regards to uniforms. Because of a
shortage of blue cloth, coatees made of drab, black, brown, or gray cloth were issued to
various Regular Army infantry regiments during the winter of 1812-1813. These were
made in the same manner as the regulation coatee with red cuffs and collar, and in most cases with the white binding (the 25th through 28th Infantry Regiments received blue coatees with red cuffs and collar, but with white binding lace on the collar only). In
February 1813, the white binding was dropped altogether.

The Army regulations of 1821, reaffirmed blue as the national color for Army uniforms.
Shoulder wings were added to the coatee, and as a result chevrons were introduced to indicate Non-Commissioned officer rank.

The uniform regulations of 1847 authorized new chevrons for non-commissioned officers
to be worn on both sleeves above the elbow, point upward. The chevrons were made of
worsted wool tape in yellow for mounted troops and white for foot troops like this example.

The coatee is a rather difficult item to research, as it was taken away and reintroduced on many different occasions, a lot of the history has either been lost or revised so many times it’s very difficult to discern. This is a wonderful research opportunity to say the least!

The coatee here we believe to date back to the late 1880’s to very early 1900’s due to the style and construction. This example is in wonderful condition and is even named! The name we found handwritten on the inside right pocket stated that this was once worn by a First Sergeant I. G. Isaacson. We have no been able to locate any service information or records regarding this gentleman, making for another wonderful research project.

All buttons appear to be present and are in good condition with minor tarnishing present. They are the correct early style for the Massachusetts State Militia. The chevrons are both lovely and in the white worsted wool tape as mentioned above for infantry use.

The overall condition is excellent with the expected wear and moth nips present. There is no extensive wear or damage present, mostly wear from being stored for many years.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Approx. Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 15"
Shoulder to shoulder: 27"
Chest width: 16"
Waist width: 16"
Front length: 22"
Hip width: 16"