Modified P1899 Coat and Numbered Medal Group

March 28, 2021

Below are photographs of a modified P1899 khaki coat that belonged to then Private John J. McMillan, Co. L, 14th U.S. Infantry Regiment. No markings were found in the coat. The khaki shoulder loops and shoulder loop buttons (now missing) appear to have been added, sewn with heavy black thread. I assume this was done to conform to the 1902 regulations which did away with branch colored shoulder loops. Thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Also below is an image of McMillan’s medals for the following service:

Spanish War Service: Co. M, 9th Massachusetts Infantry (number confirmed on rolls)

Philippine Campaign: Co. L, 14th U.S. Infantry Regiment (M. No., not traceable)

China Relief Expedition: Co. L, 14th U.S. Infantry Regiment (M. No., not traceable)

Mexican Service: Co. A, 20th U.S. Infantry Regiment (M. No., not traceable)

World War I Victory

New Hampshire World War I Service

As most probably know, Mint Number medals are not traceable. An article by the late Al Gleim in The Gleim Medal Letters, 1971-1997 (pp.7-8) provides a comparison chart of M. No. Philippine, Spanish, and Boxer Medals. Gleim believed that most veterans ordered all their medals at the same time. Since medals were issued sequentially, one could determine the ratio between various M.No. medal numbers in a medal group. Anything falling outside of the ratio would be suspicious. Gleim presents nine medal groups he believed were as purchased by the veterans. The ratio for Philippine and Boxer medals was found to be between .06 and .07. The ratio for McMillan’s medals is .062, falling within Gleim’s range.

Thanks for looking.