An Album of U.S. Army Shoulder Straps by Dr. Howard G. Lanham

Shoulder Straps of the post-Civil War period are much less likely to have multiple borders or those that alternate dead and bright bullion than those of the Civil War period. They tend to be better made and have a finished bottom.

Post-Civil War Brigadier General's Shoulder Strap

It is difficult to date generals' shoulder straps to period of manufacture. This strap has a three-eighth inch all dead bullion border. The star is embroidered in fairly high relief and the field is Melton wool. The bottom is well finished off but has no attachment devices or manufacturer's markings. This strap likely dates for turn-of-the-century to as late as mid-twentieth century. More modern ones often have a star which is relatively flat and attachment devices. Regulations called for general's straps to have wool fields rather than grosgrain, which is the characteristic feature of modern shoulder straps for ranks other than generals.