Adam Stephen’s Waistcoat and Gorget

Title: Adam Stephen’s Waistcoat and Gorget
Description: Uniform waistcoat worn by Lieutenant Colonel Adam Stephen during the French and Indian War. Stephen was George Washington’s Second-in-Command of the Virginia Regiment.
The Virginia Regiment saw active service in Western Pennsylvania from 1754 to 1759. In 1755, the officers of the Virginia Regiment received orders from Washington to provide themselves with a "Suit of Regimentals" of good blue cloth. The coat was to be faced and cuffed in scarlet and trimmed with silver; they were to wear blue wool breeches and a scarlet wool waistcoat with silver lace. The waistcoat which extended to below the hips was typically worn over a plain shirt.

A gorget is part of the full dress uniform. It is a vestige of plate armor, symbolizing rank and authority.
Identifier: Waistcoat - 12197
Gorget - 12199
Spatial Coverage: United Kingdom
Date: ca. 1750 - 1775
Subject: United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783
Medium: Red wool waist coat with gold lace and guilded civilian buttons.

The gilt brass gorget is engraved with the British royal crest and the initials “GR” for Georgeus Rex or King George.
Extent: Waistcoat - 29.5" H x 24" W
Relation: National Museum of American History
http://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/collection/object.asp?ID=808
Provenance: Owned by Lieutenant Colonel Adam Stephen
Rights: This work is in the public domain