Gemsco Dress Collar Ornaments

[GLM]

First, let me apologize for not being able to show matched collar sets. Early Marine officer ornaments are very scarce to outright rare.

 

Here is a very tarnished example of the M1904 dress collar ornament for the left collar. Identified as a Gemsco made piece but unmarked, this emblem is different to the M1912 in only the fact that the continents don't appear to be a seperately applied piece. There is no evidence to the reverse of the globe that the continents are stamped, so possibly brazed brass. Another difference is the lack of stipling between the longitude lines. The reverse is a pin attachment with looped C catch.

 

It is interesting to note that the M1904 collar emblems have been observed on WWI Marine officer uniforms in collections and museums, so it is a guess on my part that due to the great influx of officer's into the Corps in 1917, many of these earlier pattern emblems were begged, borrowed or stolen for the Great War.

 

Gary

[teufelhunde.ret]

As I have posted earlier; according to Orgel's appendix; this is Gemsco first emblem of the early 20th century period, with no applied continents. This however is unique, it is a screwback, and it has been changed by a jeweler to be a hat pin! The stempling is apparent throughout the globe; it is unmarked and retains very little of its original gilt. There is no evidence at all this was a pin back and modified, under a loop the original post is clearly seen.

 

I have seen the Gemsco pattern with screw back and open clasp during this period. What I do not know; did Gemsco produce both, based on the preference of the Marine; or the period of uniform; or if the tailor of the uniform has provisioned for a screwback? Can someone share some light on this?