Today on Gus’ Gear I present a few uniforms of the United States.
This impression is equipped with the M1917 steel helmet, based on the British Brodie helmet, and his gas mask is based on the British small box respirator. He is wearing an M1917 tunic and breaches. He has an M1910 cartridge belt to carry his canteen and first aid pouch.
This Infantry impression has an M1917 tunic and trousers, the French made M1917 hobnailed boots are topped with wool puttees. The overseas cap replaced the broad brimmed campaign hats as they could be folded and stored in the pack when the steel helmet was worn. The gas mask haversack is worn in the ready position on his chest in case of a gas attack. The French made haversack on his left hip is designed to carry magazines for the French made Chauchat assault rifle. The belt is designed for the Chauchat, with a steel cup for the butt stock of the rifle on the right hip. This belt differs from the BAR belt in that it lacks pouches for the rifle magazines. It does have a double pouch for magazines that fit the Colt M1911 pistol that would be carried on the right hip in an M1916 leather holster.
When the United States entered the Great War, the Marines wore a uniform that was unique to the Corps. The M1912 campaign hat has the USMC Eagle, Globe and Anchor insignia. Marines did not wear a hat cord. The M1912/17 USMC tunic is forest green with pointed cuffs and M1912/17 straight
legged, forest green trousers. By the end of the war, Marines were issued the same uniform worn by the Army, in olive drab green. The gas mask, normally worn on the chest but seen here on his left hip in the non-ready position, is a U.S. model small box respirator, patterned after the British mask. The M1910 ammo belt has M1909 Mills suspenders to support the weight. The small pouch is for a first aid dressing. The scabbard for the M1905 Springfield bayonet is worn on the left hip and a pair of wire cutters in an M1910 carrier just in front of the scabbard. M1911 canvas leggings were replaced with wool wrap leggings later in the war as the canvas leggings were found to be unsuitable in the mud of the trenches.
This is the uniform of Pvt. Charles J. Smith of Oakley, Idaho. He served in the 145th Field Artillery Regiment in the 40th Division. The helmet has the crossed cannons and 145 painted on the front, the gas mask haversack has some damage, but has his initials and regiment number as well as an “F” for the battery he served with. The M1917 overcoat has the Sunrise insignia on the left shoulder and a single overseas stripe indicating he served in France for 6 months. Most of the 40th Division was broken up and served as replacements in other divisions, but the 145th Field Artillery served as an intact unit.
This is the uniform of Casper J. Henscheid. He served in the United States Navy during WWI. He trained in Bremerton, Washington and served on the USS Western Spirit. This uniform consists of his dress blue jumper, black neck silk, broad fall trousers and flat hat with the US Navy
The U.S. Navy white work uniform is a durable and functional uniform. The jumper lacks any adornment other than the tied black neck scarf. The trousers are cotton bell bottom with a fly front closure. The trousers are covered at the boot with canvas leggings. The “Dixie Cup” cap is the most iconic part of the US Navy uniform. It is a simple canvas cap with a brim that is usually folded up..
This is the uniform of Frank K. Frankenfield of Evacuation Ambulance Company #8. Mechanic Frankenfield’s original uniform consists of an M1917 tunic with US and Medical Corps insignia on the collar and two service stripes for 12 months overseas service on the lower left cuff. It has an honorable discharge stripe on the upper left arm. On the left shoulder is the Rooster insignia of the United States Army Ambulance Service.
This is the uniform of Carson J. Lawrence of S.S.U 615. It is topped with his overseas cap with Medical Corps insignia and has an M1917 tunic with US and Medical Corps insignia on the collar and a single service stripe for 6 months overseas service. The arm band, along with his driver’s license, allowed him to travel anywhere within the boundaries of the 3rd Army. Wool lined leather jerkins, copied from the British, were favored by ambulance drivers as it kept them warm but allowed more freedom of movement of their arms, important while driving. An M1910 pistol belt is worn.
This is the uniform of Lt. Robert Adams of S.S.U 615. As near as I can determine, this is a post war uniform due to the rank and the U.S.R. Insignia on the collar. My research show that Robert Adams served as an ambulance driver and as such should have been a private. I normally do not acquire officer’s uniforms, but as he served in the same ambulance section as Pvt. Lawrence, and his name was the same as my grandfather’s, I could not pass it up.
This is a United States Convalescent uniform that would have been issued to wounded soldiers during their time convalescing in hospitals. It has a loose fitting jacket and trousers that makes it easier to wear over bandaged limbs. It was made of light material that made it more comfortable to wear. This type of clothing was also issued to German prisoners of war who were interned in the United States.
How about bees today, I hope Sabine is not afraid of bees, they make sweet honey.
