Joe Kravets Posted September 29, 2010 Share #1 Posted September 29, 2010 I just picked this up. It has no writing on it at all and I wanted to know where it might have been taken and what time period. I was thinking 1920's maybe earlier. Judging by the asian looking fellow in the background somewhere in the far east, china, phillipines? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted September 29, 2010 Share #2 Posted September 29, 2010 Ok....I'll start the guessing process....a company photo....as it is bigger than a Marine Detachment on most ships....so I am thinking post WWI but not long after by the lack of company numbers/letters...not thinking China as it does not look like locations I know in Shanghai or Peking or even the PI.....I wanted to guess Caribbean, Central America or North America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Kravets Posted September 30, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted September 30, 2010 Ok....I'll start the guessing process....a company photo....as it is bigger than a Marine Detachment on most ships....so I am thinking post WWI but not long after by the lack of company numbers/letters...not thinking China as it does not look like locations I know in Shanghai or Peking or even the PI.....I wanted to guess Caribbean, Central America or North America. Ok ruling out the far east makes sense, now as I look closer at the building behind them it doesn't look very asian. Maybe I will get lucky and someone will recognize the structure. Thanks Dirk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APO472 Posted September 30, 2010 Share #4 Posted September 30, 2010 Where there Marine Detachments in France post WWI? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted September 30, 2010 Share #5 Posted September 30, 2010 Joe: Shanghai had some very western looking buildings but the building shown in your image just doesn't match anything I've seen Marines pose before in the city.....I am hoping Alec can narrow the years down by their shirts....at the upper end no later than the mid 20's. Hope others jump in to help. Also looking at those men...they look like they have seen some service....not the faces of recruits (IMHO) APO: Along with France and Germany, Haiti, Nic, Panama, Santa Domingo and prior to 1915 in Mexico (Mexico is a possibility) beyond that Navy bases east and west cost stateside. Dirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normaninvasion Posted September 30, 2010 Share #6 Posted September 30, 2010 My vote is late 20's early 30s for era. Only clue as to place is the Greek revival architecture style of the building. Great pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhunde.ret Posted September 30, 2010 Share #7 Posted September 30, 2010 Ok....I'll start the guessing process....a company photo....as it is bigger than a Marine Detachment on most ships....so I am thinking post WWI but not long after by the lack of company numbers/letters...not thinking China as it does not look like locations I know in Shanghai or Peking or even the PI.....I wanted to guess Caribbean, Central America or North America. OK - I'll join in. Based on the building architecture, I believe the photo was taken in Cuba. Right behind the group is a series of both columns and pillars. Within and joining are wrought iron railing framing the design to provide wide windows and balconies, thus the building is approachable and open. Typical of Cuban buildings you can see into an open courtyard and the arcades are strategically and artistically arranged to allow optimum sunlight while providing covered areas sheltered from the rain. Typically adapted for living in tropical climates. s/f Darrell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAW Posted September 30, 2010 Share #8 Posted September 30, 2010 Generally agree.......I would lean towards the 1930's.....notice their shirts are not the WW1 style that you have to slip over your head; these are button-downs. Cuba or someplace similar would be my guess..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted September 30, 2010 Share #9 Posted September 30, 2010 The reason I downplayed Cuba was I think by the 1920's the Marines were pretty much reduced to being at Gitmo....and not roaming large cities under arms. Now maybe the case can be made for Nic or Haiti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whisky Beck Posted October 4, 2010 Share #10 Posted October 4, 2010 Dirk, It has been my understanding the Marines, unlike the army, had full button front shirts prior to and during WWI. If I recall correctly, my Osprey book on USMC in WWI specifically mentioned this fact. Of course, I cannot find the darn book when I need it! Also, in the Greenhill Books, G.I. Series 7 Over There The American Soldier in WWI, on page 43 there is a photo of Marines donning gas masks which clearly shows them wearing full button front shirts. It is credited to the National Archives, 2nd Division in January of 1918. Therefore, it could be anywhere from around 1912 to the early 1930's. As to location, it could be anywhere, but my guess is as everyone else, Caribbean or China. China might be more likely, as the Marines had large detachments in Shanghai, Peking and Tientsin. WB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted October 4, 2010 Share #11 Posted October 4, 2010 WB: You may be right on the full button shirts, but I defer to Alec on uniform issues, given his research that went into his new book. As for location...the only thing that steers me way from China is the building....I just cant id' it there....I think I've got a real good handle on Peking locations and a good working knowledge of Shanghai and Tientsin locations.... but I am not 100% on those two cities.....so I look at the men I think they have seen so time in the field so I am still thinking the Americans...Vera Cruz, Haiti or Nic...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whisky Beck Posted October 6, 2010 Share #12 Posted October 6, 2010 WB: You may be right on the full button shirts, but I defer to Alec on uniform issues, given his research that went into his new book. As for location...the only thing that steers me way from China is the building....I just cant id' it there....I think I've got a real good handle on Peking locations and a good working knowledge of Shanghai and Tientsin locations.... but I am not 100% on those two cities.....so I look at the men I think they have seen so time in the field so I am still thinking the Americans...Vera Cruz, Haiti or Nic...... I don't know who Alec is and I have not read his book. I don't claim to be an expert. I just know what I've read/seen. I'd enjoy more education on the subject, to which book do you refer? WB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted October 6, 2010 Share #13 Posted October 6, 2010 WB: Alec just wrote a book called" Equipping the Corps 1892-1937" Vol I an excellent book on Marine headgear, weapons, gear.....will be followed by Vol II on uniforms...etc.....a must have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhunde.ret Posted October 6, 2010 Share #14 Posted October 6, 2010 I don't know who Alec is and I have not read his book. I don't claim to be an expert. I just know what I've read/seen. I'd enjoy more education on the subject, to which book do you refer? WB Reviews of Alec's new book are here: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...c=82696&hl= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whisky Beck Posted October 7, 2010 Share #15 Posted October 7, 2010 WB: Alec just wrote a book called" Equipping the Corps 1892-1937" Vol I an excellent book on Marine headgear, weapons, gear.....will be followed by Vol II on uniforms...etc.....a must have! Dirk I followed the link to the book by teufelhunde.ret. Next book deals with uniforms...mmmm. Maybe in Vol II we will find the definitive answer to the pullover vs full button front issue? As a former Jarhead, I should buy these books. WB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted October 7, 2010 Share #16 Posted October 7, 2010 WB....yes they are very much worth it! You will like them.....Alec is on the forum and I was hoping he would add to the thread.... Dirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whisky Beck Posted October 7, 2010 Share #17 Posted October 7, 2010 WB....yes they are very much worth it! You will like them.....Alec is on the forum and I was hoping he would add to the thread.... Dirk Any info he could provide would certainly be welcome. The Marine period from 1890s to just before WWII really fascinates me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted October 10, 2010 Share #18 Posted October 10, 2010 a very nice pic...are frames readily available for these things? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted October 10, 2010 Share #19 Posted October 10, 2010 Tim: Sometimes I get old yard long frames from thrift stores for a cheap frame approach...also craft stores sell frames large enough to accommodate the picture until I can get a new custom frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Kravets Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share #20 Posted January 8, 2012 Photo was taken on the steps in front of the League Island Navy Yard Marine Barracks Philadelphia PAHere is a shot of the whole building Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted January 8, 2012 Share #21 Posted January 8, 2012 Well, How 'bout dat!!!!! Great pic/research. Now, the date? My guess is late 20s/early 30s. Semper Fi.....Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhund Posted January 8, 2012 Share #22 Posted January 8, 2012 Ok ruling out the far east makes sense, now as I look closer at the building behind them it doesn't look very asian. Maybe I will get lucky and someone will recognize the structure. Thanks Dirk! Not the French style of Achitecture ( The building behind) They still wear the mod 1914 Cartridge bel with EGéA snapas I would say.... Vera Cruz 1914 or Haiti Just my 2 pennies T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Kravets Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share #23 Posted January 8, 2012 Not the French style of Achitecture ( The building behind)They still wear the mod 1914 Cartridge bel with EGéA snapas I would say.... Vera Cruz 1914 or Haiti Just my 2 pennies T Look at the columns they match up, also the shrubs on the sides. I know its hard to see but it is the same building. Check out this on the WAF http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/sho...ad.php?t=566039 Look at this site it says the barracks were built in 1901 designed by Henry Ives Cobb in a Renaissance Revival stylel. Click on history then the interactive feature, skip the intro and click on architecture, then find building100 http://www.navyyard.org/history Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC A5 Sniper Rifle Posted January 9, 2012 Share #24 Posted January 9, 2012 Looks like a recruit phto with DI's and Company Commander. No rank on anyone in the background. Wasn't the League Island Navy Yard used for training in the old days? jt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMazzara Posted July 11, 2017 Share #25 Posted July 11, 2017 The officers' Basic Course was held at League Island from 1922-1940. The Advanced Base Force deployed out of League Island for its maneuvers in 1913 and in 1914. (Battalion-sized element.) The majority of Marines who deployed to France left from League Island. The library of Congress has a few photos: https://www.loc.gov/item/ggb2004009395/ https://www.loc.gov/item/ggb2005011427/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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