Mackinaw 1918 (Spec. 1343)

[US Victory Museum]

Albeit late war, this is a Great War (WWI) era cold weather mackinaw.
These were issued to soldiers engaged in specialized activities for
which olive drab overcoats were not suitable, and required a greater
protection against the environment than afforded by a wool lined jerkin.

In late 1917, the army made a regulatory change permitting the
issuance of the mackinaw as a coat suitable for the drivers of military
trucks, cars, ambulances, and motorcycles.

This is the second type of two military issued mackinaws. The first was
derived from an article of clothing defined by specification 863 issued
in May, 1907, and used through 1918.

 

[US Victory Museum]

In the summer of 1918, the second was defined by specification 1343 and
contracts were issued as it seemed the war would continue through the
winter and into the following year.

Because the military issued mackinaws were relatively uncommon even in
1918, the surviving specimens do not appear in the collections of the
casual collectors; most no longer exist due to their consumptive use in
the years following the Great War.

Mackinaws were issued articles of clothing (not the personal property of
the soldier) so those specimens that survived the Great War continued
to be used in the military until rendered unserviceable. Think of
them like WWII navy life jackets, but with twenty-five additional years
of attrition; they're not common among collector's possessions.

 

[US Victory Museum]

While sharing the images of my winter coat, I am going to contrast it
with photos I saved from an Ebay auction of a similar mackinaw of the
same specification (1343) from Sept. 2015. There are differences between
the two although the contracts under which they were produced differed
by less than 30 days.

 

[US Victory Museum]

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[US Victory Museum]

The outer shell of the mackinaw produced by Henry Sonneborn & Co., Inc.
appears almost faded white; however, the under side of the pocket seen
above the label shows the original color. The right side is never
completely displayed; therefore, I cannot say whether there are also
button holes which may be used in addition to the loops sewn on the left.
Its flap closure is buttoned towards the back of the neck.

 

[US Victory Museum]

My mackinaw was produced by Wasserman & Rosenberg. There are button holes
on the left side, and loops on the right. The flap closure for the throat
isn't hanging there; it secured to the coat in that position by the small
button seen. The coat still retains its original belt.

 

[US Victory Museum]

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[US Victory Museum]

A 79th infantry division can be observed upon the left shoulder area.
I was initially excited that in addition to being partially named, that
there was a complete service number that could be used to research some
element of its history.

 

[US Victory Museum]

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[US Victory Museum]

I wish to give a shout to forum member aznation who was kind enough to
look up the soldier's complete name and history. Unfortunately, and
somewhat surprisingly the name and number were from a WWII enlistment.

C.F. Wright 18017257 would be Carl F. Wright, born 1912 making him too
young to have served in WWI, who enlisted August 1940 for the Philippine
Dept, where I suspect there wasn't much use for a heavy coat like this.

I have since found a second number, but I cannot tell if it is 10604 or
110604 or whether either is a Great War era service number.

 

[US Victory Museum]

I welcome other collectors' contributions and images to this discussion;
however, please limit it to those articles produced under military contract,
and issued by the armed services for the purpose of this discussion.

i.e. Only Spec 863, or Spec 1343 Mackinaws.

 

 

 

 

END POST

 

[TrenchRat]

I'm jealous....(sigh)...

 

Great find tho...

 

(PM sent)...

[US Victory Museum]

Звезды правы

 

Fortune smiled upon me; I was perusing the photos on AGM and came across this one of a 3rd Army soldier

(occupational force) wearing this exact article of clothing, so naturally I bought it.

 

AGM, by the way, also had this pattern of mackinaw for sale a week or two ago. I hope the purchaser is also

a member of the USMF because I'd love to see additional photos of that coat.

 

Msn