U.S. ARMY, M1872, NON COMMISSIONED OFFICER, DRESS, ARTILLERY, SHOULDER EPAULETTS Matched pair of Russian Braid, M1872-1902 NCO Dress Artillery shoulder epaulettes. Each displays the Indian Wars issue brass eagle buttons. Each is hallmarked ?THE M.C. LILLEY CO. COLUMBUS OHIO. Displays patina. In the military before the twentieth century, the hierarchy was visually demonstrated through the use of epaulets and shoulder straps. Epaulets, which originated from the French word for shoulder, "epaule", began as cloth straps that were worn on the shoulders to keep shoulder sashes and belts in place. Another story suggests that they were initially designed as shoulder armor. As time went on, epaulets became more elaborate, especially for British and French officers during the Revolutionary War. These officers wore epaulets made of gold or silver, which extended from the collar to the point of the shoulder, with heavy fringes of gold or silver wire. Some people even described them as resembling fancy hair brushes. Due to their high cost, these epaulets were made of gold or silver, sometimes even solid metal, and other times plated. However, sergeants and other enlisted men wore epaulets of cheaper materials, such as cloth or cheaper metals. Army officers started wearing gold or silver epaulets in 1780, during the Revolutionary War until 1872, mainly on their dress uniforms. Army generals wore epaulets until the early twentieth century, while Navy officers continued to wear them until just before World War II for full dress uniforms. Marine officers wore epaulets on their special full dress uniforms until 1922. International Buyers Please Note: We do not ship outside of the United States! No Exceptions. In addition, we will not ship to third party shippers or any other international shipping hubs such as International Shipping (EIS), EIS 110 INTERNATIONALE BLVD, GLENDALE HEIGHTS IL 60139-2080. If you place a bid, or make a purchase, we will cancel your bid, and or cancel your purchase! If you wish to make a purchase, you will have to find someone located within the United States to make the purchase for you. They would be responsible to send the package to you.