gSpartan150 Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 Here are my uniform pieces. http://imgur.com/imyNnct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted 2 April , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 April , 2014 That is not a bad looking set, thanks for sharing it. Here is a photo of my recently acquired private purchase hybrid leggings. These are copied from the M1910 leggings in the style of ties that are used. This leather is surprisingly supple and overall are relatively clean. They are marked in a size 13 1/2 on the inside near the top. Here are a couple of photos and if anyone has any questions I will do my best to answer them. Thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gSpartan150 Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 Looks good! I'm slowly acquiring things. I've been getting reproduction things more often though, as I have hopes to join the GWA. However the guy at Schipperfabrik won't make my things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErsteWeltkreig_TheGreatWar Posted 3 April , 2014 Share Posted 3 April , 2014 I have what I believe is a 1912 Tunic. The markings are inside the bottom left pocket but has no stamping of any kind. Would this have been in combat? -Seth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 4 April , 2014 Share Posted 4 April , 2014 I have what I believe is a 1912 Tunic. The markings are inside the bottom left pocket but has no stamping of any kind. Would this have been in combat? -Seth Virtually no way at all of telling Seth. Without provenance...no way to know. In my view, odds are... probably not. In the US case virtually all soldiers were issued with new uniforms when they returned. Many of them had spent weeks or months in Europe after the end of hostilities where in all likelihood new coats were issued to them (also prior to embarking) and those worn by front line service discarded. In my view it is almost certain that any coat with a discharge chevron or divisional flash was not worn in action (most flashes were not approved until post war, it is possible they were attached to older coats of course) - but impossible to say for sure. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted 5 April , 2014 Author Share Posted 5 April , 2014 Unfortunately Chris is right and without any provenance, it is uncertain. All of my uniforms were more than likely the ones that were worn home and never saw any front line action. Either way you have a cool piece of period history. I forgot to add that you are welcome to add a couple of pics to this thread. We always like seeing what others have in their collection. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErsteWeltkreig_TheGreatWar Posted 11 May , 2014 Share Posted 11 May , 2014 Thanks for the help! If this thread is still active I will post a picture as soon as possible. -Seth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted 11 May , 2014 Author Share Posted 11 May , 2014 This thread is active but unfortunately my collecting hasn't been. Feel free to add all the pics you want of US uniforms. Thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchbarge Posted 13 May , 2014 Share Posted 13 May , 2014 The only US enlisted/NCO issued uniforms I've seen that were actually worn in combat were those mailed home as souvenirs upon issue of replacement uniforms. As has already been mentioned months of field wear took their toll on the uniform. With the exception of boots, they were often not considered salvageable by the authorities. Production laundering and de-lousing and mending by the soldiers only worked for so long. Eventually they were replaced with new uniforms and the old ones destroyed. They do exist but are very rare to find with compelling provenance. That said, combat worn officer's uniforms are a different matter. Many, but not all, company grade officers wore issue uniforms in combat to avoid trashing their expensive bespoke ones; few field grade and higher officers wore issued uniforms as they were often exempted by other duties from the grind of living in trenches. All officers took bespoke uniforms with them and many purchased threatre made ones during and after the fighting. Many were worn in combat.....the description of Wild Bill Donovan in his best uniform, boots and belt polished, fighting in the Meuse-Argonne battle is but one example. While most SSI were not issued until after the armistice, some 2nd division units were wearing the Indian head (field-made) before the fighting stopped. Wound and service chevrons were also extent during the fighting. Here's an example from my collection: The SSI and ribbons are post armistice, but the stateside tailor's label indicates it was made prior to deployment. The photo is from the 314th's memorial book and appears to be the same coat. 314th Machine Gun Battalion, 80th (Blue Ridge) Division, A.E.F., Major Robert Hill Cox’s service coat with two bullion overseas chevrons (denoting one year of overseas service), Victory Medal ribbon (with bronze stars denoting St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector combat clasps), red and blue piped Machine Gun Corps officer’s overseas cap, Sam Browne and pistol belt rigs and a 1917 dated Mills map case. Cox, Harvard ’05, was commissioned a Captain in the Cavalry on 2 May 1917. He was designated officer in command of Company A, 313th Machine Gun Battalion (80th Division) on 6 September 1917. Captain Cox sailed for France 26 May 1918. On 29 August 1918 he was designated officer in command of the 314th Machine Gun Battalion and received his battlefield promotion to major on 29 September 1918 sitting in a dugout south of Cuisy, France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted 15 May , 2014 Author Share Posted 15 May , 2014 That is a beautiful uniform and a great display. Thanks for sharing it, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted 13 November , 2014 Author Share Posted 13 November , 2014 Here are a couple of recent additions to my uniform collection. These are both private purchase officer's wool coats and M1912 visor hat. One coat has the US and Cavalry insignia while the other just has the outline from the insignia. This lot also came with a M1912 enlisted visor cap. However, it is on the way to St. Louis, Mo. to have the visor repaired before being put on display in my office. Both uniforms and hats are in great condition (except for the visor) and I thought I would share them with the members here. If anyone has any questions, just ask and I will attempt to assist you. Thanks for looking, Mike Here is the uniform with the insignia. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 As ever nice items. Always a pleasure to see. Thanks. BTW I have a lovely German Medical Officers cap. The visor was almost detatched. I had it sent back to Germany where it was repaired by the grandson of a WW1 era Milner on his period machine used in the war for cap making! Well worth the cost and the result as you yourself will see is a great investment. TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 Mike who in St Louis is doing the work for you? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted 13 November , 2014 Author Share Posted 13 November , 2014 Mike who in St Louis is doing the work for you? Chris Thanks Trenchtrotter. I would very much like to see the hat if you have a photo handy. Chris, I will pm you the details. Thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted 19 January , 2015 Author Share Posted 19 January , 2015 The last couple of uniforms I posted came with a hat that was in need of repair. It came in the mail this weekend and couldn't be happier with the results, so I thought I would share it with everyone here. This hat in particular is a 1915 contract dated enlistedman's M1912 visor cap. Originally the visor had came unsewn, so the potential was there. I originally made an attempt at the repair myself, but this caused the sweatband to come out as the thread was all but rotted. The process took some time, but that was expected. So after receiving it, I added a hat badge and promptly put it on display. Thanks for looking, Mike Hat minus the visor as received The visor, chinstrap and screw back buttons Contract stamp dated June of 1915 The great message left by the soldier that owned it. "YOU DAM FOOL THIS AIN'T YOUR HAT" The repair to the visor and sweatband And the finished product Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 19 January , 2015 Share Posted 19 January , 2015 Looks great Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted 19 January , 2015 Author Share Posted 19 January , 2015 Thank you Chris. It has definitely gotten a new lease on life and I couldn't be happier. If anyone here in the US can benefit from repairing a visor cap, PM me and I will give you the contact information for the guy I used. The price and quality of the repair are well worth it. Thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 24 April , 2015 Share Posted 24 April , 2015 Couple of recent finds - both sets with trousers, tunic and cap, one with puttees, belt, cap and dog tags. 86th "Blackhawk" Division and (I think) 88th Division (although the patch is usually shown as red but I think it varied with units) Nice as both have an IL connection Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted 2 May , 2015 Author Share Posted 2 May , 2015 WOW! Those are nice Chris. The 88th patch in blue is the standard version and the red versions have been attributed to field artillery. Well at least from what I have seen firsthand on a few uniforms. Are the disks numbered by chance? Anyways, both are beautiful patches. Thanks for sharing, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted 2 May , 2015 Author Share Posted 2 May , 2015 Here is a patched up uniform I picked up a couple of weekends ago. Unfortunately I have been extremely busy and unable to keep up with the threads that I have started. This uniform in particular came from a seller in Ohio and was stripped of the shoulder patch at some point. From what I can tell, it was round and I would assume 37th Division as that is where they originated. But it is still a great example of a "going home" uniform with an engineer 1st class rank, 12 months overseas chevrons and a honorable discharge chevron. The disks are USNA and a plain engineers castle. I have not had a chance to research the name on the inside pocket and I am hoping something comes up. Thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted 2 May , 2015 Author Share Posted 2 May , 2015 I also picked up a sorry looking overcoat for a few bucks. I have some spare buttons and some vintage thread, so I think I will give it a new lease on life and bring it back to its former glory. The tag didn't photograph very well, but is contract dated to June or July of 1917. -Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 2 May , 2015 Share Posted 2 May , 2015 Always good to see these updates. Thanks TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 29 December , 2015 Share Posted 29 December , 2015 Here's a new variation, and I think a reasonable find: USMC Uniform set. It has a bit of a mix of buttons on and no insignia, but otherwise is in very nice shape (A little bit crumpled at the moment but I shall sort it out soon:). Much greener than the standard Army uniforms - see final photo for comparison, USMC lower, standard army tunic upper. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunmore1774 Posted 29 December , 2015 Share Posted 29 December , 2015 Pretty things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitter2k1 Posted 13 January , 2016 Author Share Posted 13 January , 2016 Chris, I am envious of your USMC uniforms, they look great! Are any of them private purchase by chance? Thanks for sharing, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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