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Question on WWI era USMC Portrait Photo


cthomas
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Here's a neat portrait that just came in the other day. Was it authorized to wear a company letter below the EGA on a campaign hat? Any way to date the image? Is it before/during/ after the war?

 

-Chuck

post-518-1192884440.jpg

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Yes...............Company designators were authorized on the Campaign hat. Usually you see company numbers. I believe the Corps transitioned from numerical to alpha designators in the early 30's. This fine loooking Marine's picture was probably taken about 1920-1924, and possibly at boot camp. The primary indicator are his EGA M1920 collar insignia. He wears the stand-up collar coat which were around through the mis-20's when they adpoted the the new open collar coat and converted many of the old coats. Great photo!

Semper Fi.....Bobgee

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Yes...............Company designators were authorized on the Campaign hat. Usually you see company numbers. I believe the Corps transitioned from numerical to alpha designators in the early 30's. This fine loooking Marine's picture was probably taken about 1920-1924, and possibly at boot camp. The primary indicator are his EGA M1920 collar insignia. He wears the stand-up collar coat which were around through the mis-20's when they adpoted the the new open collar coat and converted many of the old coats. Great photo!

Semper Fi.....Bobgee

 

 

Bobgee-

 

Thanks for the prompt & detailed reply. My pleasure sharing this neat image with you and the rest of the crew.

 

-Chuck

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Not much to add to Bob's reply but I'll add recruit companies wore letters vice numbers. so as Bob said, taken during his boot days. A nice image!

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Not much to add to Bob's reply but I'll add recruit companies wore letters vice numbers. so as Bob said, taken during his boot days. A nice image!

 

Thanks Dirk!

I have one more WWI era Marine portrait I'd like your advice one. Check this one out....

 

What's that patch he's wearing on his left sleeve? I think the medal is some type of shooting competition award.

post-518-1192967091.jpg

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Charles: His patch makes him a Private First Class....I am not 100% sure when the rank was developed so will have to pull out my research materials (by then someone else may have provided you dates)...I think around Sep 1918 and used with cross rifles through roughly 1922. I believe your picture dates between late 1918 and 1920. Note no EGAs on the collar or discs. The medal could be a states medal....or a shooting medal.....the guys on the medals section may ID this one quickly for you. The WWI marksman award has great detail and helps me understand the number of rings it could have....I've got one image where the WWI Marine has the standard award with three target rings on his. Very nice picture you have!....I think WWI portrait photographers produced some of the best images for composition and clarity.

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Charles: His patch makes him a Private First Class....I am not 100% sure when the rank was developed so will have to pull out my research materials (by then someone else may have provided you dates)...I think around 1918 and used through roughly 1922, but I believe dates your picture between 1919-1920. Note no EGAs on the collar or discs. The medal could be a states medal....more later

 

Thanks a lot Dirk. Please get back to me later if'n someone else doesn't confirm your information sooner. Much appreciated.

 

-Chuck

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teufelhunde.ret
Charles: His patch makes him a Private First Class....I am not 100% sure when the rank was developed so will have to pull out my research materials (by then someone else may have provided you dates)...I think around Sep 1918 and used with cross rifles through roughly 1922. I believe your picture dates between late 1918 and 1920. Note no EGAs on the collar or discs. The medal could be a states medal....or a shooting medal.....the guys on the medals section may ID this one quickly for you. The WWI marksman award has great detail and helps me understand the number of rings it could have....I've got one image where the WWI Marine has the standard award with three target rings on his. Very nice picture you have!....I think WWI portrait photographers produced some of the best images for composition and clarity.

 

Dirk, what is the significance of the rings you address? s/f Darrell

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Darrell: I was refering to the target rings on each side of the word "Marksman". I think the USMC monograph stated that until 1922 marine marksmanship awards had three rings vice the two shown above. The monograph stated that after 1922 the number of rings on the award was reduced to two....but Charles image shows a WWI marine with a two ring configuration. The image below also follows the same. I guess the two ring began during WWI. Dirk

marine_084.jpg

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Darrell: Its an ok monograph but I think like their EGA it has a number of errors just begging to be corrected....maybe by our forum's EGA team thumbsup.gif

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Darrell: Its an ok monograph but I think like their EGA it has a number of errors just begging to be corrected....maybe by our forum's EGA team thumbsup.gif

 

 

Dirk-

Excellent information once again. Thanks!

 

-Chuck

 

PS That China Marine portrait will be here soon :D

 

PPS GREAT portrait. Thanks for posting it! I couldn't help but notice the company(?) numbers on the cover. Lucky '13'

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