Army, Navy or Marines

[Dirk]

Trying to determine what branch of service these guys fall into….at the time the Marine whites had six buttons….so does the pistol, holster or helmet give anyone clues? The date on the back is the day we “captured” Manila from the Spanish.

[Sargavius]

Mmh... I can't tell, hope someone better then me will come and make light on the topic.

[YourLocalHistoryGuy]

I think they were in the army from reference photos It looks like a Army Model 1881 Sun Helmet and the uniforms look close to this

 

 

[warguy]

I don’t think they are Marines, the uniforms are different as well as the holster.  Having said that,  the Marines DID wear the Army 1881 white sun helmet shown above for a short time. 

[Dirk]

Thanks guys….i am inclined to lean toward Army myself, but have not ruled out the Navy completely.

[CAC1901]

For August 1898? I recognize the helmet easily but the uniforms? - there was nothing remotely like those for the army at the time. White - and they do appear to be white not khaki - with a standing collar. Plus no insignia such as straps or chevrons, and a non standard belt and holster. The closest tunic to match these was not coming for months and it was khaki. I have had and seen privately tailored white cotton clothing soldiers had made over there but not quite like these.  

[Dirk]

18 hours ago, CAC1901 said:

For August 1898? I recognize the helmet easily but the uniforms? - there was nothing remotely like those for the army at the time. White - and they do appear to be white not khaki - with a standing collar. Plus no insignia such as straps or chevrons, and a non standard belt and holster. The closest tunic to match these was not coming for months and it was khaki. I have had and seen privately tailored white cotton clothing soldiers had made over there but not quite like these.  

Yes agree, the helmet type is known, but those uniforms are unlike anything I have seen…..private purchase perhaps….but given the early date of the photo I could see Navy guys having these made in Hong Kong well prior to the attack on Manila where the Army would have come straight over with short stops to coal along the way. 

[YourLocalHistoryGuy]

When it comes to the uniform I have no Idea this is the closest one I could find but the unifroms dont look like they have the five buttons.

 

[CAC1901]

19 minutes ago, YourLocalHistoryGuy said:

When it comes to the uniform I have no Idea this is the closest one I could find but the unifroms dont look like they have the five buttons.

 

 

Right, those are the white summer 1895 officer uniforms. They have A) no external buttons, just concealed (plain) buttons. B) no exterior pockets C) the distinct mohair trim bands down the front and around the bottom hems.  I'm not aware of any authorized modifications to these coats, let alone so radical as to add external pockets and brass buttons. I'm not familar enough with USMC or USN uniform variations to comment on those.  I mentioned that some of the army uniform groups from 1898-99 have had an interesting, obviously local civilian made white 5 button sack coat and trousers. They were of a thin almost sheer white cloth and used abalone shell buttons and and used no insignia. These were not field service quality and pictures show guys wearing them at HQ in Manila, officer mess areas, and such.