Jump to content

A.E.F. Gloves, Gauntlets & Mittens 1917 to 1919


world war I nerd
 Share

Recommended Posts

world war I nerd

Wiring Glove

Specification No. & adoption dates unknown

In service from

1918 until supplies were exhausted

AEF documents stated that every AEF infantry regiment’s “Trench Equipment” was to include 520 pairs of “Gloves, Wiring”. The so called Wiring Gloves were to be distributed as follows: 40 pairs per Rifle Company or 160 pairs per rifle battalion; 10 pairs per Headquarters Company; and 30 pairs per Machine Gun Company. No wiring gloves were prescribed for the regiment’s medical detachment or trains.

 

At the time of writing, other than the above, no reliable information regarding the appearance of the Wiring Glove has been found. The previously discussed “short-gauntleted leather work glove” depicted in Photos No. 63 and 64 of this topic are a likely contender for the title of Wiring Glove. Then again, much of the AEF’s trench equipment was procured locally in France. Therefore, the Wiring Glove may have been of either British or French manufacture.

 

Photo No. 76: In theory, stringing barbed wire was to be done by either the Pioneer Infantry or by the Engineers. In reality however, that task was often performed by the infantry or by whatever idle personnel happened to be on hand. Regardless of who was actually doing the work, heavy leather gloves were a must to protect the hands from the sharp barbs of wire. It’s difficult to know for sure, but these wire stringers appear to be wearing 1905 Yellow Horsehide or 1918 Heavy Leather Gloves rather than the above , mentioned Wiring Gloves.

 

The inset shows a period advertisement for commercially made British wiring gloves that avowed to protect the wearer from the harmful effects of both the wire’s barbs and the electrical current which occasionally flowed through barbed wire entanglements.

post-5143-0-05192100-1473157595_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

French Heat Resistant Glove

(Gant de Anti-Chaleur)

In service from 1917 to 1919

 

One pair of Gants de Anti-Chaleur along with one Epaulliere pour le Transport (or if you prefer the English language: “Heat Resistant Gloves and “Shoulder Pad for Transport”) were issued to every AEF regimental, battalion, and anti-aircraft machine gun crew that had been armed with the 1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun.

 

Photo No. 77: This U.S. Army, Signal Corps image titled, “Searching for Leaks” depicts a soldier of the Signal Corps searching for arcs sparking out from a break in the in communication wire’s insulation with the aid of a French made Heat Resistant Glove.

 

Photo courtesy of the National World War I Museum

post-5143-0-33642200-1473157692_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

The French Anti-Heat Gloves were officially designated as “Chain Mittens” in the October 1917 dated AEF manual titled, Regulations for Machine Gun Companies, Equipped with Hotchkiss Machine Guns, Model 1914. The Chain Mittens were needed to protect the hands when changing an overheated machine gun barrel and the “Chain Shoulder Protector” was employed to guard against shoulder burns when moving or carrying a hot gun. The Chain Mittens and Shoulder Protector were stored in the metallic tool chest that was carried on the light machine gun cart. The relevant text in chapter VI, “Sundry Accessories” explained the purpose of the gloves:

 

A pair of chain mittens to manipulate the barrel or machine gun when heated.

 

Regulations for Machine Gun Companies, Equipped with Hotchkiss Machine Guns, Model 1914, October 1917, page 57

 

The French manufactured glove was constructed from either one thick layer or two thinner layers of tan leather. The palm and thumb area of each glove was protected by a heat resistant pad of asbestos. The asbestos pad was further protected by a layer of steel chainmail. Each glove’s wrist opening was slit to allow entrance of the hand. That slit could then be secured by a single snap fastener.

Photo No. 78: Front and back views of two French made and AEF issued “Chain Mitten”

 

Left hand & center right photos courtesy of Forgotten Weapons.com

Right hand & center left photos courtesy of the Stephen McGeorge collection

post-5143-0-82351700-1473157758_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

Despite the fact that the French chainmail glove and shoulder pad rarely show up in period photographs being used by American Doughboys, they must have been an essential and very practical accessory for machine gun crews in the AEF. AEF doctrine dictated that machine gun crews in combat were to change locations frequently in order to prevent enemy artillery from zeroing in on their position. Thus, transporting a hot Hotchkiss Machine Gun* would have been a common occurrence … one that was noted by a machine gunner in the 77th Division during a nighttime indirect firing exercise in a front line trench:

 

The flash arrester had been attached to the muzzle but in spite of that the fire seemed to equal that of any artillery piece. The enemy did not reply or if he did we were not there to know about it. We did a good job and were soon back to our permanent position. By the time all hands had a chance to run, the gun; it was quite hot & had to be carried by chain mail gloves designed for that purpose.

Infantrymen were stationed at intervals along the trench, and in order to warn them that we were carrying a hot gun, we gave them the old cry of the mess boys on the ship, “Hot stuff coming through.” They would crowd close to the wall of the trench to allow us to pass.

 

Private Henry W. Smith, Company C, 305th Machine Gun Battalion, 77th Infantry Division, AEF

 

*The French made Hotchkiss Machine Gun was well liked by American Doughboys, as unlike the somewhat undependable Chauchat Automatic Rifle, it rarely jammed, no matter how dirty or mud encrusted it or its ammunition was. In fact, many AEF machine gunners preferred the Hotchkiss over both the British Vickers and the American Browning heavy machine guns. The Hotchkiss did however, have a reputation for “running hot”. Because of this empty sandbags soaked in water were often employed to cool the weapon down during periods of sustained firing.

 

French Anti-Gas Gauntlet

The official name of the French made gas gauntlet, as well as the date on which it was first used by the AEF is not known

 

Prior to the arrival of the Americans in 1917, the French Army first attempted to create anti-gas clothing by impregnating the Piolu’s white fatigue uniform with oil. Later, horizon blue overalls treated with boiled linseed oil were devised. The oiled overalls were followed by a special anti-gas smock, impregnated gauntlets and gas-proof over-boots, all of which were being worn by French soldiers who handled gas shells or decontaminated gas soaked trenches at the time the Doughboys arrived in Europe.

 

Meanwhile the British had developed a hooded one piece set of overalls made from oiled black cloth. The black overalls however, were never widely used by the British Expeditionary Forces. The reason for this was because British commanders were convinced that gas casualties could be limited through rigid discipline and an aggressive anti-gas training regime. At the time of writing, it is not known if the British Army ever devised any special anti-gas gloves, gauntlets or mittens.

 

To date, there is no evidence that British made anti-gas clothing was ever used by the AEF. Period photographs however, do show American Doughboys wearing anti-gas smocks and gloves as used by the French Army. On what scale the French anti-gas clothing was issued throughout the AEF however, is not known. Nor is the precise military designation of the French made “Anti-Gas Gauntlet” or the dates on which the French Army and subsequently, the AEF initially deployed the French made gas proof attire known.

 

Photo No. 79: A French soldier wearing an Anti-Gas Smock and Gloves next to an image of an officer from the 23rd Engineer Regiment (highway construction) that was labeled, “Showing gas proof slicker coat”. It is not known if the engineer officer’s gas-proof coat was of French or American manufacture. Although it’s impossible to be certain, the two garments are remarkably similar, if not identical.

 

Right hand photo courtesy of the Veterans History Project collection

post-5143-0-90060300-1473157905_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

The 1918 Gas Mitten & 1918 Gas Glove

Issued by the Chemical Warfare Service, the gas mitten & glove had no specification number. Their exact adoption dates are also unknown.

The gas mitten was in service with from an unspecified date prior to October 1918 to November 1918 or until supplies were exhausted.

The gas glove however, did not become available in the AEF until after November 11, 1918.

 

According to the following text, the U.S. Army Chemical Warfare Service was actively engaged in the development of an American anti-gas suit and mitten on or before the second month of 1918:

 

In February 1918, shortly before the German drive commenced, we received requisitions for sample sets of oiled mittens and oiled suits as protection against mustard gas. These were prepared in quantity and sent to the front, as was also a considerable amount of chloride of lime* for neutralizing the mustard gas in the field.

 

Chemical Warfare, Brig. Gen. Amos A. Fries & Maj. Clarence J. West, 1921, page 51- 52

 

* Because mustard gas was capable of lingering for days on both the ground and on vegetation, a total of 200 tons of ordinary bleaching powder was shipped to the AEF. The white powder, which was also known as “Chloride of Lime” or “Calcium Hypochlorite” proved to be most effective at neutralizing the caustic effects of mustard gas when sprinkled over earth which had been contaminated by that chemical agent.

 

During the final months of 1917 and early in 1918, the Chemical Warfare Service had apparently created a number of experimental one-finger,anti-gas gloves. The method of chemical impregnating the one fingered, gas mitten that had been selected for use by the AEF is described below:

 

Protective gloves have been made with a variety of impregnating agents. The one that was selected for large scale production was impregnated with a solution of cellulose nitrate because of the availability of materials and the protection offered by the finished product. The material is impregnated after being made up. The one finger type of glove is used. The gloves are placed on wooden forms and dipped into the impregnating solution. After draining a few minutes, the gloves are turned upside down on racks and run through a drying oven. Finally they are removed from the forms and conditioned by drying at a moderate temperature for several hours. After being properly cured they are fitted with two straps on the gauntlet of each glove. They should offer protection to chloropicrin (standard method of test) for 30 minutes. When subjected to rough work they will last from one to two weeks.

 

Chemical Warfare, Brig. Gen. Amos A. Fries & Maj. Clarence J. West, 1921, page 274-275

 

Photo No. 80: Some of the anti-gas hand coverings employed by the AEF were, from left to right, improvised from an empty sandbag tied onto the forearm; the French made Anti-Gas Gauntlet; the American made 1918 Gas Mitten with two securing straps; and the post Armistice, 1918 Gas Glove, which had no securing straps.

post-5143-0-54164500-1473158006_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

Photo No. 81: This Doughboy, also from the 23rd Engineer Regiment, was standing next to an armed French farmer in a photo titled “Boar Hunt”. He appears to be wearing an unusual pair of mittens that closely resemble the 1918 Gas Mitten, minus its two securing straps.

 

Photo courtesy of the Veterans History Project collection

post-5143-0-65198200-1473158060_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

In addition to AEF Gas Service personnel and artillery crews detailed to fire gas shells, the primary recipients of protective anti-gas gloves, mittens and suits were AEF medical personnel, whose duties included the evacuation and caring of gas casualties, and the members of each combat organization’s “Decontamination Squad”.

 

In respect to anti-gas equipment issued to medical personnel, according to the supply tables for an AEF Battalion Aid Station in 1918, the following equipment for the treatment of gas patients was to be on hand:

 

“(Gas) suits of overalls, with gloves* and masks, for attendants caring for gas patients, gas fans, and alkalies and sprayers for attendants to use in cleaning out the galleries to which gas had penetrated.

 

The Medical Department of the United States Army in the World War, Vol. VIII, Field Operations, 1925, page 114

 

*It is not known if the “overalls with gloves” mentioned above was a reference to foreign made anti-gas clothing used by the AEF early in 1918 or U.S. made anti-gas clothing issued in mid to late 1918. There is at least one period photo dated August 20, 1918, that shows a soldier from an unknown 6th Division medical unit wearing a dark colored anti-gas suit that was likely of French or British manufacture.

 

Photo No. 82: This orderly from the 82nd Division’s, Field Hospital No. 326 tends to gas casualties of the 82nd and 89th Divisions at the division’s gas hospital “overflow ward” north of Royaumiex in August of 1918. Note that he has donned a pair of improvised anti-gas mittens made from empty sandbags. By mid-1918, it became necessary for both ambulance and filed hospital personnel to protect their hands from mustard gas burns which frequently occurred after the bare skin of AEF medical personnel came into contact with the gas soaked clothing worn by the patients they treated.

 

post-5143-0-51672500-1473158133_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

With the Germans firing more and more gas shells in the late summer and autumn of 1918, and AEF gas casualties mounting, anti-gas equipment and clothing was also ordered to be carried in AEF ambulances. The 42nd Division, called for the following anti-gas articles to be carried by each of its ambulances: 2 gas coats*, 2 French M2 masks, 4 pairs of gas mittens, and 4 oxygen tanks (small) with connections.

 

*Because there was no American made “gas coat”, the coat mentioned above was presumably a reference to the French made gas smock. The “gas mittens” could have been either the French made anti-gas gauntlets that had been purchased by the AEF or the 1918 Gas Mittens that were made in the United States.

 

Photo No. 83: Personnel of one of the 82nd Division’s ambulance companies load a gas patient into a division ambulance in August of 1918. Note that two of the men are wearing French made anti-gas smocks with hoods. The soldier on the lower left is also wearing a pair of French made anti-gas gauntlets, while the Doughboy to his right must make due with a pair of makeshift anti-gas mittens fabricated from empty sandbags.

post-5143-0-19795700-1473158198_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

At some point during 1918, AEF General Orders called for a special Decontamination Squad to be formed in each combat organization at regiment and battalion levels. After completing a special training course, the front line decontamination squads:

 

Decontaminated gas shell holes with lime and fresh earth, buried gas shell duds, reported to gas officers the location of gas shells that could not be buried, and removed contaminated equipment and clothing in special oiled bags. Each man in the squad was issued a new SBR*, a reserve M2 mask, a suit of protective coveralls, and two pairs of oiled mittens. The decontamination equipment consisted of shovels, buckets and long handled tongs for handling dud mustard shells.

 

Chemical Warfare in World War I: the American Experience, 1984, Major Charles E. Heller, page 80

 

*SBR was a wartime acronym for either the British or American made “small box respirator”. The SBR was the most common type of gasmask issued to the British Tommy and to the American Doughboy throughout 1917 and 1918.

 

Photo No. 84: An AEF decontamination squad in action. Each man appears to be wearing a pair of 1918 Anti-Gas Mittens or Gloves, as well as a British small box respirator. Also of interest is the fact that two different styles of anti-gas suits are worn. One whose front is secured by buttons, and two whose fronts look as if they are held closed by the metal clasps that were used to secure the front of the 1917 Mounted Slicker and 1918 Raincoat.

post-5143-0-85661200-1473158266_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

The exact date on which the American made anti-gas mitten arrived overseas has yet to be determined. They did however precede the arrival of at least one variation of an American made anti-gas suit, which has been documented as arriving overseas in October of 1918. “Gloves, Oilskin” were listed in a May 1918 AEF manual as being part of an infantry regiment’s trench equipment. The manual stated they were to be “drawn from division supply”. Unfortunately, the purpose of the oilskin gloves and to whom they were issued was not mentioned. The oilskin glove may have been a reference to French anti-gas gauntlets or American made gas mittens.

According to the following, the Anti-Gas Glove, which replaced the Anti-Gas Mitten, did not make its debut until after the Armistice had been signed:

 

Mittens had been provided prior to the development of the suit and were highly valuable … but somewhat stiff and clumsy. Special Gas Gloves did not become available until the end of the war.

 

Chemical Warfare in World War I: The American Experience, 1984, Charles E. Heller, page 66

 

Period photos that date to August 1918, depicting AEF medical personnel from the 82nd Division caring for gas casualties in the St. Mihiel sector, show them wearing an improvised gas mitten made from empty sandbag material, as well as the French made Anti-Gas Gauntlet. This in no way proves that American made anti-gas mittens had not arrived overseas by that date. It simply suggests that the American made anti-gas mitten had not or could not have been issued to every AEF organization in need of it at that time.

 

According to America’s Munitions, the fabrication of anti-gas clothing by the Chemical Warfare Service for the AEF was, “a work just starting,” when the Armistice was signed. It further stated that by November 11, 1918, only 2,450 gas suits and 1,773 pairs of gloves had been produced. The number of gas mittens produced by the Chemical Warfare Service was not cited. Based on the above figures, it would seem that with the exception of the 1918 Gas Mitten very few AEF organizations received an American made anti-gas suit before the signing of the Armistice, and no American made anti-gas gloves made it overseas until after the cease fire agreement was in effect. Even though a number of period publications referred to the gas mitten as a “gas glove”, all anti-gas hand coverings used by the AEF prior to the signing of the Armistice were either of foreign manufacture or American made gas mittens.

 

Photo No. 85: At left, 1918 Anti-Gas Gloves and Anti-Gas Over-Boots are worn along with the late war “G-34 Mustard Gas Suit”, which was said to have arrived overseas in October of 1918. On the right, a gas suit, which appears to have a sheen to it, whose designation is not known is worn. Over the suit, which is also darker in color, a pair of strapped 1918 Anti-Gas Mittens are worn along with similar, if not the same pattern of anti-gas over-boots. All three men are wearing the Akron Tissot Gasmask, which was developed late in the war. Because the Akron-Tissot Gasmask was superior to the U.S. made 1917 Small Box Respirator, it was slated to replace the small box respirator had the war continued into 1919.

post-5143-0-43238100-1473158437.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

1918 Arm Defenses, Experimental Model

No specification number, issued by the Ordnance Department

 

In response to captured German reports which praised the effectiveness of body armor worn by troops that held positions exposed to heavy small arms fire, the Engineering Department of the Ordnance Department developed two types of experimental “Body Defenses” for the AEF. One was comprised of a “light front and body plate” that weighed just 9 ½ pounds. The second, was made up of a “heavy breast plate with thigh guards” that was capable of stopping machine gun bullets at 150 yards. Its weight totaled 27 pounds.

 

Armored defenses for the arms and legs were also fabricated, which were said to protect the wearer’s limbs from an automatic pistol ball fired at a distance of 10 feet.

 

All of the various pieces of body armor were shipped overseas for testing and evaluation by the AEF. After field trials, the sets of light and heavy body armor were rejected by GHQ. Apparently the average Doughboy “did not wish to be hampered with armor.” Even though some 70% of the hospital cases in France were the result of arm and leg wounds, the 200 sets of leg and arm defenses sent overseas were likewise turned down by the AEF. Despite weighing only 2 ¼ pounds, the arm defenses were said to impede the movement of the wearer.

 

The armored gauntlet, which protected the lower arm from the elbow to the wrist, and the hand, as well as most of the fingers, consisted of three armored components, one for the forearm, a second for the wrist, and a third for the hand. Each armor piece was fabricated from helmet steel, painted olive drab and padded with sponge rubber. The three armor pieces were connected by a series of flexible russet leather straps fixed to the shaped steel plates. The forearm defense was attached to the forearm and hand by two russet leather straps, which were secured by snap catches.

 

The arm defense was made in just one size. It could however, be adjusted to fit different arm lengths by means of a pair of leather thongs that were tied to strategically placed holes in the leather connectors.

 

Photo No. 86: The experimental “Light Front and Body Plate along with the “Arm Defenses” are shown in these official Ordnance Department photos borrowed from America’s Munitions. The insets are closer views of the front, back and side of the armored gauntlet and separate elbow armor.

post-5143-0-51032300-1473158542_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

1918 Leather & Wool Gauntlet

Specification No. 1401, adopted on December 14, 1918

 

In December of 1918 a special leather and wool gauntlet that was devised for chauffeurs and motorcycle couriers was adopted. In spite of its official designation, which was the “1918 Leather and Wool Gauntlet”, this hand covering quickly became known throughout the AEF as the “Driver’s Glove or Gauntlet”. The Driver’s Gauntlet was composed of a glove cut on a five finger pattern that was attached to a flared cuff. The glove’s outer shell and stiffened cuff was made from olive drab wool. The palm and thumb of the gauntlet was faced with split leather. Due to the unavailability of this garment’s specifications it is not known if black leather (as employed on the example show) was specifically called for in the specifications, or if the palm and thumb were intended to be faced with russet leather, and the use of black leather was the exception rather than the rule. The glove’s interior featured a black cotton lining and had elastic sewn into the wrist.

 

Photo No. 87: Front and back views of the 1918 Leather and Wool Gauntlet that was issued to chauffeurs and and motorcycle couriers of U.S. Army and AEF at the end of 1918.

 

Photos courtesy of Advance Guard Militaria.com

post-5143-0-97246300-1473158602_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

Photo No. 88: The 1918 Leather and Wool Gauntlets in use by an AEF dispatch rider of the 35th Division.

 

Photo courtesy of the National World War I Museum

post-5143-0-85973700-1473158653_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

Baseball & Boxing Gloves

The Army Quartermaster Corps, as did the Navy’s Bureau of Supply and the Quartermaster Department of the USMC, issued thousands of Athletic Gloves and Mittens to the men and boys that did “home service” during the war, and to the Doughboys who served overseas in the AEF. The recreational leather gloves and mittens were characterized as “Athletic Mittens – catchers & basemen” and “Athletic Gloves – infielders (or fielders) & boxing” in a post war publication that was dedicated to how critical war time commodities, such as leather, were used. Athletic equipment of all types was also supplied to the AEF by charitable organizations like the Y.M.C.A.

 

Can anyone post photos or additional information about Army issued WW I era baseball or boxing gloves?

 

Photo No. 89: Exact details regarding the Army issued athletic gloves and mittens were unavailable at the time of writing. However, the following photos do show an AEF “infielder’s glove” as used by a 32nd Division Doughboy; a stateside issued fielder’s glove held by a member of the 88th Division’s 176 Infantry Brigade’s baseball team (center); and a “catchers mitten” as used by a soldier in the 28th Division.

 

Center photo courtesy of the Collector 5516 collection

post-5143-0-23228100-1473158714_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

Photo No. 90: At left, Navy or Army issued boxing gloves are put to the test during an inter-service bout onboard an unidentified transport ship; and two stateside recruits square off in the ring wearing what are presumed to be Army issued boxing gloves. In the training camps, boxing gloves were regularly used to settle, once and for all, any disputes or arguments amongst the men in any given company.

post-5143-0-12452300-1473158765_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

U.S. Army Regulation Gloves Authorized for

Commissioned Officers - Spring 1917

 

In April of 1917, the United States Army permitted commissioned officers serving in the continental United States and its possessions, as well as those who were destined for the AEF, to wear the following hand coverings:

  • White Leather Gloves: specification number and adoption date are unknown. Commissioned officers were authorized to wear the white gloves with the full dress and dress uniform.*
  • 1906 Leather Buckskin Gloves: Specification No. 832, adopted on September 6, 1906, authorized for wear with the olive drab woolen service dress by commissioned officers only.
  • Gloves, Leather: no specification number was issued as this was merely an Army pseudonym for the commercially made gloves that were frequently purchased by commissioned officers from civilian military outfitters in lieu of their military equivalent.
  • 1916 Olive Drab, Woolen Gloves: Specification No. 1265, adopted on August 23, 1916, authorized for winter wear by commissioned officers.
  • 1913 Leather Riding Gloves: Specification 1185, adopted on April 10, 1913, authorized for wear by officers when mounted.

*Even though the White Leather Gloves – whose specification number and adoption date have yet to be found, were listed for officers in the 1917 Uniform Regulations, like the enlisted men’s white cotton gloves, they too had been suspended for the duration of the hostilities; along with the officers full dress and dress uniform, with which they were to be worn.

 

1906 Buckskin Glove

Specification No. 832, adopted on September 6, 1906

In service from September 1906 presumably to 1919

 

In 1902, the U.S. Army adopted a smart new style of “Leather Glove” which was to be worn exclusively by commissioned officers whenever the new olive drab woolen service dress was worn. The new glove for officers was designated as the Leather Buckskin Glove. The 1906 Buckskin Glove was the fourth and final specification of that particular hand covering. It replaced the 1905 Buckskin Glove (Specification No. 746, adopted on March 17, 1905).* The only difference between the two specifications was that the specifications for the 1905 Buckskin Glove called for not less than twelve stitches to the inch, and the 1906 specification stated that not less than ten, nor more than twelve stitches per inch were required.

 

*The Buckskin Glove was adopted in 1902 to accompany the Army’s new olive drab woolen service dress. The specifications for this glove were changed on three occasions after its adoption in 1902 – new specifications for that glove were issued again in 1903, 1905 and in 1906.

 

Regulation buckskin gloves were gray in color, but an identical commercially made copy was also available in olive drab. The Leather Buckskin Glove was made from oil-tanned buckskin that had been sewn together using silk thread. The back of each glove had three ornamental welts each of which were approximately 3 ¼ inches in length, and formed by a double row of stitching on either side. Each also glove featured a 3 ½ inch slit at the wrist opening, which could be secured by a glove fastener that was placed roughly 1 ½ inches below the edge of the cuff. Each glove’s size was also plainly stamped or stenciled on the inner surface of the cuff.

 

The 1906 Buckskin Glove was issued in ten sizes. When measured from the edge of the cuff to the tip of the middle finger the overall sizes ranged from: size No. 7 ½, which was 10 inches in length – sizes No. 8, No. 8 ½ and No. 9, which were 11 inches in length – sizes No. 9 ½ and No. 10, which were 11 ¼ inches in length – sizes No. 10 ½, No. 11 and No. 11 ½, which were 11 ½ inches in length - and size No. 12, which was 12 inches in length.

 

Photo No. 91: Cosmetically, the outward appearance of the Buckskin Glove change little between 1902 and 1906, as the specification changes primarily dealt with minor technical or structural issues. Therefore, unless you’re counting stitches these images of the front and back of the 1903 specification Buckskin Glove adequately illustrates the hand covering’s overall appearance during the time it was worn between 1902 and 1919.

 

Photos courtesy of the Jon Prostak collection

post-5143-0-10934800-1473158860_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

Photo No. 92: This captain serving in the AEF, whose branch of service insignia cannot clearly be made out, wears the 1906 Buckskin Gloves that were designed specifically to be worn with the officers’ olive drab service uniform.

 

Photos courtesy of the John Adam-Graf collection

post-5143-0-86922300-1473158915_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

Officers Leather Glove

No Specification No.

In service from April 1917 to 1919

 

In respect to the leather gloves that were authorized to be worn by commissioned officers, paragraph 25, titled “Gloves (Leather),” in the 1917 Uniform Specifications stated that they were “to be of the same general design as those issued.” When translated into the language of civilians, that line of text instructed commissioned officers to only purchase commercially made leather gloves whose design and appearance were similar to those that were currently prescribed for officers by the Quartermaster Corps, which at that time consisted of the 1906 Leather Buckskin Glove and the 1913 Riding Glove.

 

The Uniform Regulations were worded as such because one of the burdens of being commissioned an officer in the United States Army was that, with the exception of a sidearm and ammunition, each officer was personally responsible for purchasing a rather lengthy list of uniform items and articles of equipment … Most of which were obtained from tailors, hatters, boot makers, etc. at a considerable cost to a newly commissioned 2nd lieutenant, whose monthly salary was $1,700.

 

Photo No. 93: Probably the most common non-regulation “Gloves (Leather)” worn by AEF officers was one of a multitude of russet leather dress gloves that were, more or less, similar in style to the 1906 Buckskin Glove. One example is worn by General Frank Parker, who during the war, commanded the 1st Division’s 18th Infantry Regiment and then the 1st Division’s 1st Infantry Brigade, until he was appointed as the commander of the entire 1st Infantry Division in October of 1918.

 

Photos courtesy of the John Adam-Graf collection

post-5143-0-66372600-1473158994_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

1913 Riding Glove

Specification No. 185, adopted on April 10, 1913

In service from April 1913, presumably to 1919

 

After the 1906 Buckskin Glove, the second regulation leather glove that was prescribed for wear by officers in 1917 was the 1913 Riding Glove. In regard to when that hand covering was to be worn by officers, not a word was mentioned in the 1917 Uniform Specifications. However, beneath the heading “Gloves for Officers” under section ‘I’, in paragraph 76, of the 1915 edition of the Uniform Specifications, it was proclaimed that:

 

SERVICE UNIFORM. – Regulation riding gloves will be worn with the service uniform when mounted, and may be worn with the service uniform upon other occasions when the olive-drab woolen glove is not prescribed.

 

Regulations for the Uniform of the United States Army, 1914, page 35

 

Photo No. 94: There is no way to positively identify the gloves worn by this officer of an unknown aviation outfit in France as being a pair of 1913 Riding Gloves. They do however; bear a striking resemblance to the Army’s and AEF’s prescribed leather glove for mounted troops.

 

Photos courtesy of the John Adam-Graf collection

post-5143-0-05098700-1473159077_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

1916 Olive Drab Woolen Glove

Specification No. 1265, adopted on August 23, 1916

In service from

August 1917 to February 1918 or until supplies were exhausted

In 1917, commissioned officers were authorized to wear the same pattern of olive drab woolen glove that was issued to enlisted men. However, the 1914 Uniform Regulations elaborated on that topic in respect to when the olive drab woolen gloves were to be worn by commissioned officers:

 

The olive-drab woolen glove will be prescribed for officers whenever it is prescribed for enlisted men; on other occasions it may be worn with the woolen olive-drab uniform.

 

Regulations for the Uniform of the United States Army, 1914, page 35

Other Hand Coverings Worn by

Commissioned Officers of the A.E.F.

1917 to 1919

 

Because each U.S. Army and AEF officer was expected to purchase all of his equipment, a great deal of individual preference was exercised in the cut, fit and materials of each officers service uniform. In addition, the associated accoutrements that went along with the uniform also frequently varied wildly from Quartermaster Corps specifications. This was especially so amongst the officers of the AEF – whose choices were often influenced by the smartly dressed officers of the French and British Armies. An unusual example of the unexpected anarchy that existed overseas in respect to the service dress of an officer in the United States Army was recorded by a hospital sergeant who had been commissioned a 2nd lieutenant early in 1918, in an area of France that was completely unfamiliar with the uniforms worn by the American Army:

 

Shortly after we got to Vichy, an order came with a commission promoting me to 1st Lieutenant from a sergeant. It was a total surprise to me and to the men, too. As you will presently see such an event was surprising even to the tailor. Everything I owned belonged to the Government, from the skin out. I had to turn it in. On $40 a month pay, I had to equip myself with a 1st lieutenant’s outfit which cost about $200. Well, between $40 and $200 is quite a discrepancy. I spoke to the commander about it, and he said the Army never made any provision for that situation, but he could lend me some money, and the rest of it I could borrow from my boys. This was satisfactory to me.

 

So the next thing was to get out and find myself a French tailor. There were no American tailors or material to make an American uniform from except of course the khaki colored wool. Our Frenchman got busy, and I’ll say he made a wonderful, gorgeous suit for me. The first thing he did was to round off the high stiff coat collars, round out the corners making a beautiful curve for the neck and the next thing he did was to try and find some braid to put on the uniform. The nearest thing to it was British braid. So this went on. The trousers were built up in the back to protect the kidneys. Then there were no collar insignia or shoulder patches to indicate what Army I belonged to. But the Frenchman did his best. He pulled the jacket in at the waist, to give it a wasp-like effect and put on patch pockets which were never heard of in the American Army, and buttons of I have forgotten whose Army, and French puttees that laced up the front. Ours were much heavier and strapped down.

 

Well, I wish you could see it, this first uniform which was a mongrel between a French poodle and a British bulldog and an American husky. Regarding my mongrel uniform, which designated my belonging to all the Armies over there, I would occasionally be stopped and asked to show my papers, my orders, and then I would explain the whole thing and there would be a roar of laughter and I would be turned loose. I was occasionally picked up that way but was usually the first one to mention the fact so they would know what was coming in the next sentence. All this questioning was to make sure of course that I wasn’t some sort of spy.

 

1st Lieutenant Roy A. Crowdy, Base Hospital No. 1, AEF

 

While engaged in trench warfare, the Army’s rigid peacetime standards were often usurped by other more important considerations, such as supply, or the lack of it, as well as the urgent needs of combat. Therefore, so long as things did not get too far out of hand, strict adherence, by commissioned officers at the front to the AEF dress code took a backseat to such things as practicality, common sense and comfort. The usual result being that the uniform’s uniformity, which was so revered by General Headquarters, AEF and the stateside Army, either through choice or simply because there was no other alternative, lapsed into a much less conventional mode of military dress. Consequently during the pursuit of both practicality and comfort AEF officers adopted a wide variety of enlisted men’s hand coverings that, strictly speaking, commissioned officers were not authorized to wear, unless they were serving at the front. However, all articles of enlisted men’s clothing that was drawn by an officer had to be returned as soon as the officer rotated out of the Zone of Advance.

 

1918 Canvas Gauntlet

 

Photo No. 95: In addition to a non-regulation belt on his overcoat, this AEF artillery officers has donned a pair of enlisted men’s 1918 Canvas Gauntlets.

 

Photos courtesy of the John Adam Graf Collection

post-5143-0-44493300-1473159229_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

1918 Leather Mitten

 

Photo No. 96: This AEF officer, who presumably served in the Motor Transport Corps, has chosen to wear an unorthodox single breasted, rather than the more conventional double breasted variation of the Officer’s Short Overcoat. The Officers Short Overcoat was never an article of issue, and had in fact, been banned from being worn for garrison and barracks duty. The non-regulation garment was however, tolerated by the Army provided it was only worn in the field. In addition, this officer still retains the 1911 Service Hat, which had been replaced in January of 1918, by the Overseas Cap. A pair of enlisted men’s 1918 Leather Mittens completes his eccentric ensemble.

 

Photos courtesy of the John Adam-Graf collection

post-5143-0-83148000-1473159302_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

1918 Jersey Knit Gloves

 

Photo No. 97: With most AEF officers preferring to wear a pair of high or “officer quality” leather gloves in the field, enlisted men’s regulation, olive drab woolen gloves are rarely seen being worn by officers of any rank in period photographs. A pair of knit cotton, olive drab 1918 Jersey Knit Gloves, which replaced the 1916 Olive Drab Woolen Glove for both officers and enlisted men of the AEF early in 1918, are worn by this balloonist /observer.

 

Photo courtesy of the John Adam-Graf collection

post-5143-0-76998300-1473159355_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

Fur Mittens

 

Photo No. 98: This image was cropped from a larger photograph of 1st Division officers on occupation duty in Germany during the winter of 1918-1919 It shows a 1st Lieutenant who managed to get his hands on, and then into, a pair of fur mittens. It is impossible to identify exactly what type of fur gauntlets he’s actually wearing. They are likely either the 1907 or 1914 Fur Mittens or possibly a pair of fur gauntlets made for aviators that he acquired from the Air Service.

 

Photos courtesy of the John Adam Graf collection

post-5143-0-90537600-1473159408_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

Leather Gloves

 

Photo No. 99: The similar two-toned gloves worn by these two AEF officers, one junior and the other senior, fall under the category of “Gloves (Leather) i.e. – the ones that were “to be of the same general design as those issued.”

 

Left hand photo courtesy of the Chuck Thomas collection

post-5143-0-91323400-1473159458_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

Photo No. 100: In spite of the fact that the two toned gloves differed drastically, at least color-wise, from the more restrained gray tones of the 1906 Buckskin Glove, they appear to have been available in at least two shades. The somewhat garish gloves worn by Brigadier General Harry C. Hale (right), who organized and commanded the 84th Infantry Division and was later assigned to command the 26th Division, are a lighter in color in the un-cropped photos above. The gloves encasing the hands of the junior African-American officer at left, look to be nearly the same color as the general’s in these enlargements because the brightness and contrast levels have been adjusted for clarity … They are in fact, a couple of shades darker in color.

 

Right hand photo courtesy of the Chuck Thomas collection

post-5143-0-03025700-1473159505_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...