US Victory Museum Posted February 15, 2014 Share #1 Posted February 15, 2014 First: A disclaimer is required. This blouse was purchased fromRobb Kay without any identifying characteristics, or known history.I have placed upon it, for display purposes, officer's insigniafrom 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 articleof clothing was in that hemisphere during that time period.This is an officer's warm climate cotton blouse that can be datedc. 1907-1909. In 1907, low ranking officers uniforms first beganto 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 withinthe two year period 1907-1909.Other features common to uniforms from this time period are thegusseted pockets, and the stand/fall collar. The eapulets on thisparticular blouse do not have the box stitch re-enforcement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Victory Museum Posted February 15, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted February 15, 2014 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 tothe right of the "20". Although the 1903 Springfield was the main infantryarm, these darkened (Post-1903) insignia arms are of an earlier model rifle.The infantry insignia size and pattern likely date c. 1905. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Victory Museum Posted February 15, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted February 15, 2014 Officers' mohair sleeve braid.End of post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ludwigh1980 Posted February 16, 2014 Share #4 Posted February 16, 2014 Another great piece Mike, I wonder if officer eagle plates were still worn on occasion with these coats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry K. Posted February 16, 2014 Share #5 Posted February 16, 2014 Talk about rough to find! You did it again, I'm jealous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pointedcuffs Posted February 21, 2014 Share #6 Posted February 21, 2014 Nice coat. I am glad you got it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbuehler Posted September 3, 2014 Share #7 Posted September 3, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VladimirBerkov Posted February 25, 2015 Share #8 Posted February 25, 2015 Very cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIl Sanow Posted February 25, 2015 Share #9 Posted February 25, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Army Noncom Posted October 4, 2017 Share #10 Posted October 4, 2017 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pointedcuffs Posted November 13, 2017 Share #11 Posted November 13, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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