1898 USMC Blue Flannel Field Shirt

Niederlander · November 28, 2009, 07:56:03 PM

Hello!
Does anyone have any good, detailed pictures that show the blue wool field shirt worn Marines in 1898? They are so dark in the photos I have that I can't pick up any details. Pictures of the blue trousers, especially the back, would be nice, too. Thanks!

yeti76620 · November 29, 2009, 04:34:11 PM

Quote from: Niederlander on November 28, 2009, 07:56:03 PM
Hello!
Does anyone have any good, detailed pictures that show the blue wool field shirt worn Marines in 1898? They are so dark in the photos I have that I can't pick up any details. Pictures of the blue trousers, especially the back, would be nice, too. Thanks!

Try Here (a maybe):

http://www.usmchc.org/uniform.html

good luck

Yeti76620

Niederlander · November 29, 2009, 05:50:25 PM

Thanks!
I don't know if they can help, but I'll get in touch with them and see. Thanks again!

yeti76620 · November 29, 2009, 07:11:55 PM

Here are some old Edison "Movies" of that time of troops filmed in 1898.
Save yourself some "headache" by having Quick Time Movie Player pre-installed and ready from the Apple.com site, I think that's the place. Can't see much but moving 3D views are a bit more insightful.

http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/movies/006/006.htm

Have Fun,

Yeti76620

Niederlander · December 14, 2009, 07:41:30 PM

I found the information I needed on another forum. When I get it all put together I'll post it. River Junction said they can make it, but it won't be until after February.

pony express · December 15, 2009, 06:23:13 PM

Quote from: Niederlander on December 14, 2009, 07:41:30 PM
I found the information I needed on another forum. When I get it all put together I'll post it. River Junction said they can make it, but it won't be until after February.

Good luck, I've been waiting since early september for an army shirt from them!

Niederlander · December 15, 2009, 07:38:28 PM

Yes, they said they're behind on Christmas orders, and then have to do inventory in January. Fortunately, I'm not in any major hurry. They've always been nice to deal with, for me anyway!

pony express · December 15, 2009, 08:08:41 PM

Yes, they have been good to deal with, and they did get my campaign hat to me the day before I left for the Grand Muster.

Charles Isaac · December 29, 2009, 07:40:55 PM

The detail of these shirts just does not show up at all in a B&W group photo.

I looked through all the Marine pictures I have from the Spanish American War era and finally got the electronic picture duplicator going. This is the best photo, and it wont tell us much about the shirts, but here they are (Marines!

) in the Philippines with their beloved Krag Rifles!

Sam Perfye · December 30, 2009, 09:10:44 AM

Charles, Is that you in the front row holding the bugle? Maybe it's just your cover? Either way nice pic. Al.

Charles Isaac · December 30, 2009, 12:48:19 PM

Quote from: shalako on December 30, 2009, 09:10:44 AM
Charles, Is that you in the front row holding the bugle? Maybe it's just your cover? Either way nice pic. Al.

Ha Ha! Here's some covers for you! Keeps that brim out of the way while you work the bolt

These Marines are back aboard the USS Columbia after intervention in Santo Domingo. How many bottles you suppose came back with them inside their haversacks?

Forty Rod · December 30, 2009, 03:32:26 PM

Quote from: Charles Isaac on December 29, 2009, 07:40:55 PM
The detail of these shirts just does not show up at all in a B&W group photo.

I looked through all the Marine pictures I have from the Spanish American War era and finally got the electronic picture duplicator going. This is the best photo, and it wont tell us much about the shirts, but here they are (Marines! ) in the Philippines with their beloved Krag Rifles!

Printed backward? I can't see for sure but the anchor on the emblem appears to be going the wrong way and one rifle (the only one I can see a bolt handle on) seems to have the bolt on the left.

Niederlander · December 30, 2009, 05:34:59 PM

Quote from: Forty Rod on December 30, 2009, 03:32:26 PM
Printed backward? I can't see for sure but the anchor on the emblem appears to be going the wrong way and one rifle (the only one I can see a bolt handle on) seems to have the bolt on the left.

It is indeed. I've got a book that has the same picture printed the right way. I've always liked this picture.

Texas Lawdog · December 31, 2009, 09:14:20 AM

Great pictures of the uniforms and the Krags.

Trinity · January 10, 2010, 07:35:29 PM

A few of those fellers look like they should enter a Lee VanCleef lookalike contest.

Grizzly Adams · January 11, 2010, 05:14:29 PM

I think this may be what your looking for?

http://www.quartermastershop.com/1872_and_on_us_enlisted/m-1883_wool_issue_shirt.html

Niederlander · January 11, 2010, 07:05:45 PM

Quote from: Grizzly Adams on January 11, 2010, 05:14:29 PM
I think this may be what your looking for?

http://www.quartermastershop.com/1872_and_on_us_enlisted/m-1883_wool_issue_shirt.html

Hello!
I''ve done quite a bit of research on this subject lately. After reading the 1900 regulations on the blue wool flannel shirt, I couldn't see anything that referred to a collar. The way the buttons were located, I figured it had a band collar that you would button the standing white linen collar, worn under the blouse, to. At the very least, a collarless shirt is much more comfortable under the blouse. It also said nothing about pockets, so I would guess it didn't have any. I then joined a U.S. Militaria forum, and asked if anyone had an example of the shirt, or at least a photograph showing it, and I struck paydirt. Two different people posted photographs of exactly the shirt described in the regulations. I also found out that Marines were issued Army shirts in the Phillippines, and that ship's tailors made up shirts of other patterns, so you do see a lot of variations. I'm certain, though, that their was an official pattern, and that it matched the regulations. I'll ask the guys that posted the photgraphs if I can post the images here.