14 replies to this topic

[Bob Hudson]

I recently picked up a copy of the book "Home of the Commandants" which has an excellent concise history of the Corps in its bios of the Commandants. One thing that struck me was how small the Marine Corps really has been over the years. When you start looking at these numbers you realize that USMC items from certain periods, even through the first half of the 20th century, really might be even rarer than we think: consider something like EGA's and especially EGA's for officers who seem to have had more choices of different makers than did the enlisted Marines. I suspect that production of some types of EGA's was in the hundreds (or maybe less in the case of some brands).

This morning I decided to finally chart what I could of the Corps' strength over the years. Most of these numbers came directly from the "Home of the Commandants." Granted, with turnover, more people wore the uniform during these periods than is indicated by the numbers, but I'd guess that there was a lot of handing off of uniforms, etc. by outgoing Marines (I know I've seen a lot of older Marine uniforms with more than one name stamped inside).

[Jeremiah]

That is an interesting breakdown of the Marine Corps' sizes during it's history. I've been told that at various times the USMC was smaller than the USPS. It would be interesting to try and find out more on that comparison. I'm in agreement with you that a lot of things are rarer than they seem at this time. We're living in a time when a lot of vets from WW2 are passing on and their things are coming out for sale. I've found that a lot of that generation also kept their parents' and grandparents' items so a lot of that is hitting the market as well. I'm sure other factors are involved but that is an apparent one to me. Thanks for the interesting topic!

Jeremiah

[teufelhunde.ret]

Great info... here is more: http://www.history.n...an/reg-usmc.htm

It is a listing every Maine Officer who served between 1800 -1900... with dates of service, promotion, retirement and so forth.

I believe the total is 738 http://www.usmilitar...tyle_emoticons/default/think.gif

s/f Darrell

AUGUST 2008: FOUND NEW END STRENGTH NUMBERS INCLUDING OFFICERS FOR EACH YEAR FROM 1798 TO DATE. LOCATED HERE:
http://www.tecom.usm...nd_Strength.htm

Edited by teufelhunde.ret, 27 August 2008 - 09:27 AM.

[Bob Hudson]

Great info... here is more: http://www.history.n...an/reg-usmc.htm

It is a listing every Maine Officer who served between 1800 -1900... with dates of service, promotion, retirement and so forth.

I believe the total is 738 http://www.usmilitar...tyle_emoticons/default/think.gif

s/f Darrell

So officer's insignia from the 1800's would be a very rare bird indeed.

[teufelhunde.ret]

Have found additional information for the early years...

• American Revolution 1775-1783 131 officers, 2000 enlisted
• French Naval War 1798-1801 131 officers, 2,131 enlisted
• Barbary Pirates War 1801-1805 26 officers, 453 enlisted
• War of 1812-1815 93 Officers, 2,622 enlisted
• Battle of Twelve Mile Swamp (Florida) 1812 93 Officers, 2,622 enlisted
• Battle of Quallah Batto (Sumatra) 1832 38 Officers, 830 enlisted
• Florida Indian War 1836-1847 58 Officers, 1,086 enlisted
• War With Mexico 1846-1847 71 Officers, 2,170 enlisted
• Harper's Ferry, Virginia, USA. 1859 47 Officers, 1,804 enlisted
• American Civil War 1861-1865 Federal Marines 48 Officers, 2,338 enlisted

[bobgee]

I hope this chart may be of interest to USMC EGA collectors as it shows the size of the Marine Corps through year-end strengths during various periods. I originally compiled it to look at the scarcity of named USMC Conduct medals but it also reflects on other items. I started it with year 1896 as this was the year that the first officially-named GCMs were awarded and I stopped it in 1952 as this was the last year that officially-named Good Conduct Medals were awarded. However it is helpful information for collectors of EGAs, as well as medals, uniforms, 782 gear, etc. I hope some of you find it useful to get a better understanding of how scarce some of these early items really are. With the exception of the WWII years the Marine Corps has always been small and continues that way.
Semper Fi.......Bobgee



END STRENGTHS:

YEAR- ENLISTED MEN ON THE ROLLS AT YEAR-END

1896 - 2,145; 1897- 3,735; 1898- 3,481; 1899- 3,066;
1900- 5,240; 1901- 5,694; 1902- 6,031; 1903- 6,445;
1904- 7,329; 1905- 6,741; 1906- 7,940; 1907- 7,807;
1908- 8,953; 1909- 9,368; 1910- 9,232; 1911- 9,292;
1912- 9,359; 1913- 9,625; 1914- 10,050; 1915- 9,948;
1916- 10,253; 1917- 26,953; 1918- 51,316; 1919- 46,564;
1920- 16,061; 1921- 21,903; 1922- 20,098; 1923- 18,533;
1923- 18,533; 1924- 19,175; 1925- 18,310; 1926- 17,976;
1927- 18,000; 1928- 17,822; 1929- 17,615; 1930- 18,172;
1931- 17,586; 1932- 15,365; 1933- 14,876; 1934- 15,174;
1935- 16,097; 1936- 16,040; 1937- 16,911; 1938- 16,997;
1939- 18,052; 1940- 26,545; 1941- 51,020; 1942- 135,475;
1943- 287,139; 1944- 442,816; 1945- 437,613; 1946- 141,471;
1947- 85,547; 1948- 78,081; 1949- 78,715; 1950- 67,025;
1951- 177,770; 1952- 215, 544;

[bobgee]

I recently acquired a copy of "Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps" compiled and published in 1878 by Lewis R. Hammersly, (late Lieutenant USMC). I paid the mighty sum of $5.00 for this book and it's in very good condition for its age!
Well, I counted the Marine Corps officers listed and here's the totals:

Colonel Commandant 1
STAFF
Major - Quartermaster1
Major - Inspector 1
Major - Paymaster 1
Captain - Asst. QM 1
LINE
Colonel 1
LtCols 2
Majors 4
Captains 14
First Lts 27

TOTAL: 59 Living Officers of the Marine Corps Serving in 1878! So if you wonder why early USMC material is scarce and very high-priced when it does show up....consider the very small size of the Corps back then!
Semper fi......Bobgee

[Bob Hudson]

You may recall that back in Aug 2007 we put together a chart (actually a few) showing the size of the Corps over the decades: http://www.usmilitar...?showtopic=9349

When you consider that officers used to get their EGA's from private suppliers, it would really seem to narrow down the amount of any one hallmarked style.

In the 1890's (actually up to 1903) the authorized force size was 278 officers and from 1800 to 1900 a TOTAL of 738 men served as Marine Corps officers!

[teufelhunde.ret]

In the 1890's (actually up to 1903) the authorized force size was 278 officers and from 1800 to 1900 a TOTAL of 738 men served as Marine Corps officers!

...and for those who like to see the list, it is here: http://www.history.n...an/reg-usmc.htm

[Alec]

Thought I would share a little of the details I have turned up in my research since I will NOT be covering EGAs in my book. This refers to EGAs for caps. Also have info for devices for helmets and everything else manufactured and contracted for the Corps for a period of several years.

Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1898
Ornaments received from contractors 7,000
Ornaments received from posts 58
Ornaments Issued during Fiscal Year 5,887
Ornaments on hand end of Fiscal Year 2,286

Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1899
Ornaments received from contractors 6,623
Ornaments received from posts 8,909
Ornaments Issued during Fiscal Year 6,126
Ornaments on hand end of Fiscal Year 2,783

[Bob Hudson]

Thanks for sharing that: anything else you care to post will be welcomed with gratitude.

[Alec]

Dress Helmet EGA Devices

Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1898
Devices received from contractors 267
Devices received from posts 263
Devices Issued during Fiscal Year 413
Devices on hand end of Fiscal Year 634

[bobgee]

Great info - Thanks! S/F.....Bobgee

[usmcaviator]

Alec,
This information is outstanding, I know you have spent countless hours in the archives. Thanks for posting this. It is the first and only information that has been presented in regards to numbers of any type of EGAs and points to some definitive answers as to the rarity of certain early pieces. I, for one, am excited at the prospect of this initial tap. It shows that the "truth is out there".

Best,
Mike

[teufelhunde.ret]

Thanks for sharing that: anything else you care to post will be welcomed with gratitude.

Quite agree and look forward to seeing addition information you may have unearthed! s/f Darrell