New Romantic Posted May 1, 2007 Share #1 Posted May 1, 2007 As a collector of WWI leggings variations I have been trying to track down a legit pair of USMC leggings. Over the past two months I was able to snag four possible USMC leggings from eBay. Observing period photos of Marines it seems most if not all had a seam on the inside of the leg. This would mean that the leggings were made from four pieces vs. three. First up is a pair that has Phila Depot markings and a Marine's name stenciled in the typical USMC manner. These do not have the inner leg seam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Romantic Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share #2 Posted May 1, 2007 Next up are a pair with the inner seam and web foot strap. The leggings appear to be made by Rosenwasser Bros. dated 1917 and the name of a Marine (?) stenciled below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Romantic Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted May 1, 2007 These pair have the inner seam and leather foot strap. The leggings were made by Des Moisne Tent and Awning Co. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Romantic Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share #4 Posted May 1, 2007 This final pair have the inner seam and leather foot strap. The markings are hard to make out though I can see the date 1917. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Robinson Posted May 1, 2007 Share #5 Posted May 1, 2007 I own a pair of leggings identical to your #2 pair....and they have the same name stencilling. Mine belonged to a sailor so that's also a possibility with yours since they used the same format for name markings. I also own a pair identical to your #4 pair and mine have USMC quartermaster Depot markings. I believe Marine officer's wore those....they're too fragile looking for rugged field wear. Based on what I've seen and read your #1 pair are what the Marines wore "over there" in 1917-1918. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrenchRaider1918 Posted May 2, 2007 Share #6 Posted May 2, 2007 Did soldiers wear these leggings under the puttees or were they worn seperately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrenchRaider1918 Posted May 2, 2007 Share #7 Posted May 2, 2007 This is stamped on mine: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Romantic Posted May 2, 2007 Author Share #8 Posted May 2, 2007 I also own a pair identical to your #4 pair and mine have USMC quartermaster Depot markings. I believe Marine officer's wore those....they're too fragile looking for rugged field wear. Greg The leather strap on my #4 pair are actually quite thick, much thicker than the pair shown below. These are the pair marked USMC-867 inside which could be a post war set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Romantic Posted May 2, 2007 Author Share #9 Posted May 2, 2007 Did soldiers wear these leggings under the puttees or were they worn seperately? The canvas leggings were worn seperately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Robinson Posted May 2, 2007 Share #10 Posted May 2, 2007 The leather strap on my #4 pair are actually quite thick, much thicker than the pair shown below. These are the pair marked USMC-867 inside which could be a post war set. Yeah...you're correct. That #4 pair has far fewer hooks and eyelets than the ones I was referring to. Mine are actually like the pair shown here. But mine are marked: QUARTERMASTER DEPT US MARINE CORPS 1917-1918 Markings are correct looking but those light weight leather straps have always puzzled me for something intended to be worn in the field Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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