An Indian Wars-era private purchase tailor-made bearskin coat, with toggle-fastened front, quilted interior, and polished cotton sleeve linings. The interior bears a “Gordon & Ferguson, Saint Paul” label. Complete with a pair of matching bearskin gauntlets and a US-issued seal fur cap, featuring a die-struck crossed saber US Cavalry badge at the front of the crown. In very good to fine condition, with general overall wear. This type of winter outerwear would have been worn on Gen. Nelson A. Miles' 1876-77 expedition with his 'Yellowstone Command' during the Great Sioux War. After learning of Custer's defeat at Little Bighorn, Miles fought against the Lakota and their allies in the northern plains; to his enemies, Miles became known as 'man-with-the-bear-coat' for the similar winter overcoat he wore in these excursions. These full-length black bear officer's coats are much scarcer than their buffalo counterparts, which were more readily available to the command. An excellent assemblage of winter campaign equipage from the late 1870s.
