c. 1907 Officers khaki Blouse

[US Victory Museum]

First: A disclaimer is required. This blouse was purchased from
Robb Kay without any identifying characteristics, or known history.

I have placed upon it, for display purposes, officer's insignia
from the US 20th Infantry, a unit associated with the Philippine-
American War (1899-1902). Dispite 1902 being listed as the end date,
combat operations continued for over a decade afterwards.

Although photographs show uniforms such as this one being worn

in the Philippines, I have no reason to believe that this specific article
of clothing was in that hemisphere during that time period.



This is an officer's warm climate cotton blouse that can be dated
c. 1907-1909. In 1907, low ranking officers uniforms first began
to use brownish mohair sleeve braid as an identifying characteristic;
moreover, officers' uniforms were without the French cuffs. In 1909,
khaki colored cloth was eliminated in favour of olive drab.

These two characteristics narrowly box the date of this blouse within
the two year period 1907-1909.

Other features common to uniforms from this time period are the
gusseted pockets, and the stand/fall collar. The eapulets on this
particular blouse do not have the box stitch re-enforcement.

 

[US Victory Museum]

The insignia are officers' type without the company. Both the infantry arms,
as well as the "US" are the correct early type with the C-wire half loop.

The two wires can be seen: First on the bottom portion of the "S", and to
the right of the "20". Although the 1903 Springfield was the main infantry
arm, these darkened (Post-1903) insignia arms are of an earlier model rifle.
The infantry insignia size and pattern likely date c. 1905.

 

[US Victory Museum]

Officers' mohair sleeve braid.

End of post.

 

[ludwigh1980]

Another great piece Mike, I wonder if officer eagle plates were still worn on occasion with these coats.

[Terry K.]

Talk about rough to find! You did it again, I'm jealous.

[Pointedcuffs]

Nice coat. I am glad you got it.

[cbuehler]

A very nice coat! With regard to khaki cloth being eliminated in 1909...a very difficult statement to make. I am just not sure that this was universally done, especially with officer's uniforms.

 

CB

[VladimirBerkov]

Very cool.

[GIl Sanow]

The collar eagles were only worn in 1903-4. From the shape of the collar here, and the presence of the cuff stripes, I suspect the coat is 1907 or later.

 

G

[Retired Army Noncom]

Question in regards to the officer cuff braid. If the cuff officer braid became standard wear in 1907, could it not have been an add on item for an earlier M-1902 tunic?

[Pointedcuffs]

Federal Army officers were pretty much up to date on pattern changes. I'm sure there were some state units that officers were still wearing one of the two earlier patterns and could of added cuff braid. That said, this time period had so many changes in patterns that i wouldn't be surprised to see any combination.