Here is a wool jean cloth round patch on a .125 inch grid. Note that the flags are both red with white centers. Note the absence of the torch. This is not twill. There is no sewn border. (October 2005 Update) The mystery might be solved on this one. Mike Rogers of the Signal Corps Museum suggests that this patch might be a very rare German Submarine service Petty Officer signal patch. Not radio--signal. This might mean flags and the night signal lamp.
Post-War insignia--Circa 1875
Here is a signal Corps patch on the uniform sleeve from about seven years after the war.
This photo from Brown page 62. Note elongated red flag with elongated white center. This is 1861.
This is at the Georgetown signal camp run by Major Myer.
This is an 1864 signal envelope. Battle flag with star on left. Right flag may denote the year of the war i.e. 4th year
as a "service" flag for the Signal Corps. Note the elongated flags.Note the torch.
This is from a November 1863 signal envelope. Battle flag with star on left. Note the elongated flags.Note the torch.
This is the November 5th, 1863 signal envelope.
This is the November 5th, 1863 signal envelope with the notation on the back.
These are pre-1881 helmet side buttons.Post Civil War. No torch. Elongated flags. No or "very light" scoring on both flags,
No scoring in center of flags. Scoring was (and is) used to indicate a color other than white. In this case,
both flags are either "red" or no color is indicated at all.
These are 1881 or post 1881 helmet side buttons. Torch added per regulation. Elognaged flags. Light scoring on the
left flag. No scoring center of left flag. No scoring on the right flag. Light scoring on the center of the
right flag. Thus, left flag is "red" with "white" center and right flag is "white" with "red" center.
Butternut signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOW IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Butternut homespun with wool and cotton signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOS IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM--
Butternut homespun signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOW IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Butternut homespun signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOW IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Butternut homespun signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOW IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Blue backed patch--Federal
Blue backed patch--Federal
Blue backed patch back view--Federal
1865--Steps of the Signal Corps Headquarters. Insignia on both sleeves.
These are pre-1881 helmet side buttons.Post Civil War. No torch. Elongated flags. No or "very light" scoring on both flags, No scoring in center of flags. Scoring was (and is) used to indicate a color other than white. In this case, both flags are either "red" or no color is indicated at all.
These are 1881 or post 1881 helmet side buttons. Torch added per regulation. Elognaged flags. Light scoring on the
left flag. No scoring center of left flag. No scoring on the right flag. Light scoring on the center of the
right flag. Thus, left flag is "red" with "white" center and right flag is "white" with "red" center.
Butternut signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOW IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Butternut homespun with wool and cotton signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOS IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM--
Butternut homespun signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOW IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Butternut homespun signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOW IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Butternut homespun signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOW IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Blue backed patch--Federal
Blue backed patch--Federal
Blue backed patch back view--Federal
1865--Steps of the Signal Corps Headquarters. Insignia on both sleeves.
Butternut homespun signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOW IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Butternut homespun signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOW IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Butternut homespun signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOW IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Blue backed patch--Federal
Blue backed patch--Federal
Blue backed patch back view--Federal
1865--Steps of the Signal Corps Headquarters. Insignia on both sleeves.
Butternut homespun signal patch cut from uniform--OVCWA collection NOW IN SIGNAL CORPS MUSEUM
Blue backed patch--Federal
Blue backed patch--Federal
Blue backed patch back view--Federal
1865--Steps of the Signal Corps Headquarters. Insignia on both sleeves.
Blue backed patch--Federal
Blue backed patch back view--Federal
1865--Steps of the Signal Corps Headquarters. Insignia on both sleeves.