Today on Gus’ Gear I present a few more items found in a soldier’s pack or haversack. I have a few housewives and sewing kits, an important tool for keeping the uniform in the best condition. The earliest mention of a sewing kit being called a housewife can be traced back to the mid 1700s.
This is an interesting German Kriegsmarine housewife (Nähzeug) named to A. Börner. It has a selection of replacement buttons sewn to one end and an interesting pin cushion with a naval flag motif. There is also a rather moth eaten gunner’s rating with it as well.
This is an example of a French issue sewing kit (Trousse de couture), with a small awl that screws into the spool for thread. It also has a selection of replacement buttons.
This is an American housewife that was carried by Carson Lawrence. It has a selection of buttons, needles, pins and thread with a small pair of scissors. It rolls up for storage.
This is another American housewife with a selection of thread, needles and buttons. There are also a few quick repair buttons that can be snapped into place without having to do any sewing. I have seen a number of shirts and trousers with this style of button replacement
This is a small American sewing kit made of a plasticized fabric. It has two pockets for needles, buttons and thread, and places to attach safety pins. The thing that makes this sewing kit of interest to me is it is the one carried by my grandfather, Robert S. Adams.
This is Robert Adams’ sewing kit, folded showing faint markings on the front. He served as a replacement in Company A of the 101st Infantry Regiment and his service number was 80143.