I scored a cool uniform - what did I get?

[Lou Graham]

It's a canvas jacket introduced in 1911 -- I figured that much out. I'm going to wear it for for Wild Bunch shoots    It is for enlisted man, not officer,  tannish sort of color, it has the straight up collar, but on the screw-in button on the collar, it has the usual "US" but in a much smaller size sort of centered in the "US" is an "R"

Anybody know what that means?

BTW -- it has the pants, too.  I also found a hat and leggins.  I'm going to look smashing.  It's somewhat worn, but quite servicable for continued use and had a tear in the collar mended with very coarse black thread and large, irregular stitches.  The pants had been mended in the same way.  I can fix that.  Most amazing thing is: It fits pretty good.  Sleeves are a mite long.

 

[Drydock]

Sounds like the standard undress jacket post 1902.  Is there any evidence of clips on the shoulder seam?  I'm not sure when the clip on epulets were discontinued.

How many buttons, how many pockets?

[St. George]

Model 1911 Cotton uniform.

You'll see them with 'bachelor buttons' - held on by clips.

The collar device is that of the Reserve - first adopted in December of 1917.
There would also be a Branch device worn on the Left side.

The sizes will generally fit a female form well - soldiers of the time being scaled somewhat less 'heroically' than you see today.

Scouts Out!

[Advertising]

[Lou Graham]

The other side of the collar has a wheel with crossed swords in front of it and an eagle sitting on top of the wheel.

The buttons are held on with what looks like miniature key rings (man that must be comfortable!) and there's 5 down the front.

4 pockets, two chest high, 2 lower. The epulets are sewn into the sholder seam and the other end is held on with the button/ key ring.

I didn't know we had reserves as early as 1917.

Talk about "living history" this is pretty cool.

[St. George]

That insignia is for Quartermaster Branch.

The history of what would 'become' the Army Reserve effectively began after WWI.

Prior to that war - there was the Regular Army - the National Guard - and the Organized Reserve Corps (those being largely Officers in the Medical Branch - and quite small in size - the Force, not the Officers).

WWI rolls around and they Federalized the National Guard and 'expanded' the Army with the Draft.

Knowing that almost any war would be short in duration - the Army knew it needed Officers to lead and specialists in different areas and so they created the 'Reserve' .

They served far better than expected - leading and manning the huge National Army that was created as a result of the Draft.
Uncomfortably for the powers that be - the citizen-soldiers were fully equal to the Regulars in combat capability and affinity for war...

After the Great War - the National Guard went back to their respective States and the Regular Army to its Forts - leaving this massive pool of qualified and experienced men adrift.

The new 'Organized Reserve Corps' came to be - providing the leadership 'skeleton' for any upcoming conflict.

The idea was to have the men available to run the anticipated Divisions that may be needed in the event of War - though the prevailing thought that after what the world just went through - there'd be no more.

Thankfully - pragmatism prevailed.

Many RA NCOs would gain Reserve Commissions in anticipation and the existing ORC conducted periodic evaluations of NG exercises and where needed.

Eventually - events transpired to bring about WWII - the ORC expanded and became the Army of the United States (AUS) - Commissions were activated - as was the Draft and the National Guard.

Victory prevailed - the AUS essentially mirrored the RA in make-up of units - and became the USAR thanks to the almost immediate start of the Cold War - and voila' - today - they're ubiquitous.

Scouts Out!

[Drydock]

Yep, thats the 1911.  I'd love to find one of those myself.  Very rare in my size.

[St. George]

Your size being 'what'?

I've collected a helluva lot of American Militaria since the early '60's - with a fondness for WWI uniforms and their insignia.

I see these canvas outfits a lot - and I'd be happy to see what sizes are around.

Just remember - the 'standard' size of the American Soldier in the AEF was 5'6'' and 156 pounds.

Also - unlike many 'outfits' portrayed in C&WAS - the 'real' trooper was a sparely-built guy.
Hard to pack on pounds when you're eating the campaign diet...

Should you be scaled more generously - there are suppliers to the WWI Reenactor trade who produce all three uniforms - the 1911, 1917 and 1918.

As an aside - the last time I fit 'comfortably' into a WWI outfit - was a very long time ago when  I saw one whose collar I could close along with the jacket - and could still breathe - as it wasn't too tight - unless I reached for something.
The trousers were immense - in comparing to other uniforms.
He had to be one of the biggest guys in France - a Machinegunner and a Corporal in the 83d Infantry - and I was 6'2" and 200 pounds.
Unfortunately - being thoroughly impressed with the vast amount of 'wool' - I never looked to see just how 'clean' it was before slipping it on just for fun...

Sure woulda been nice if he'd cleaned it since initial issue...

As the rash on my neck went away - I had it cleaned - twice.

Looked kinda 'new' when it was finally done.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Lou Graham]

But wait -- there's MORE:

768-3155

This number is stamped in black inside the flap of each pocket.

There's a sewn in tag in the lower pocket with a contract number I can't read for sure, it might be BAE10xxx, it fades out so I can't tell how it ends.  So the stamped numbers aren't the contract number.

Man, I had no idea a shirt could provide so much information and fun.  This is cool.  Point well taken, St. George -- I'm washing these!

[St. George]

If you wash 'em - do so by hand with a mild detergent.

I'd rather dry-clean.

The reason is because modern soaps will damned near dissolve those old label inks.
The tag'll remain - but that's sort of a moot point.

The numbers are assembly numbers, and some coats had a tag at the rear of the collar.

Incidentally - those aren't crossed swords - they're crossed keys.
They represent the 'keepers' of the Army's stores of equipment.

The nice thing about these cotton uniforms is that they're pretty plentiful and for the most part in good shape - with many actually in 'new' condition.

When worn - the WWI uniform consisted of the wool coat and trousers - wool pull-over shirt, square-tipped mohair tie, undershirt and drawers of 'generally' a wool-cotton blend, web belt and frame buckle, wool socks, wool leg wraps (puttees), low-quarter, roughout 'field shoe w/hobnails and the wool 'Overseas' cap or Campaign Hat when in CONUS.

Put 'that' on and add the large wool trenchcoat, the pack with shelter-half, mess kit, personal clothing, sewing 'housewife'  and wool blanket.
Add the cartridge belt, canteen canteen cup and carrier, 16" bayonet and scabbard, First-Aid packet, '03 Springfield w/sling 'and' Gas Mask and carrier.

Now - given all that - and maybe some body lice (cooties) as well as a case of the runs - be sure to soak as much of yourself and your (really water-absorbing wool) gear - put the mask on - wait for the whistle and crawl 'Over the Top' while some honked-off individual behind a Maxim gun sweeps right to left while you're in the process - and try to capture a few yards and live through 'that' bit of high entertainment.
And do it again - tomorrow...

No 'wonder' Grandpa was an irascible old coot...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Drydock]

I'm 6'  200.  Have not seen many in my part of the woods. No doubt there out there.  I might like to put together a 1911 outfit one of these days.  They did not go to the Puttees until 1917, right?  Prefer leggings myself.

[St. George]

The Leggings were on the 'small' side - having 4 loops for the early canvas ones - and the leather ones didn't make an appearance until WWI.

Finding a pair big enough of either can be a rare treat - especially the leather-faced style for Cavalry and Artillery.

The legs of the trousers were supposed to be laced - and I often see them where they were cut away for better fit over the soldier's calf.

While not perfect - the puttees fit everyone.

I'll keep an eye open for a suitable size.
Should a set appear - I'll let you know.

Scouts Out!

[Grapeshot]

The branch insignia you described sounds like Quartermaster Corps.

The eagle that can't fly
The wheel that can't turn
the sword that can't cut and
the key that doesn't open anything

GO ORDNANCE!

[Old Top]

Grapeshot,

Now, now, the quartermasters will be happy to ship you the wrong size ammo for your cannon  .

Old Top
(who has been known to wear quartermaster brass)

[Dr. Bob]

Old Top,

Do you want anything fixed right??

Grapeshot,

Long live the flaming piss pot!!  

[Former 4815 Mechanical Maint. Officer, 1966-73.O3 at separation]

YMH&OS,

Capt. R. H. Dorian
Brv't. LtC., Chief Topographical Engineer
Grand Army of the Frontier

[Lou Graham]

Quartermaster.  Way Cool!

I get ALL the ammo.