Proper form of the US salute in the GAF period.

[G.W. Strong]

I have read, but do not recall where, the US was using the palm forward salute in the 1880s. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

[Pitspitr]

No, at least not in the late 1860's, 1870's and early 1880's. From the 1882 version of Upton's Tactics (which is substantially the same as the 1868 and 1873 versions):

"Salute for Enlisted Men.
Raise the right hand smartly, pointing in the same direction as the right foot, the palm of the hand down, the thumb close to the forefinger, the arm extended, and horizontal. (Two.) Bring the hand around till the point of the thumb and side of the forefinger touch the lower edge of the cap or visor, at the same time turn the head a little to the left, look toward the person to be saluted, and retain this position till the salute is acknowledged. (Three.) Bring back the hand and arm to the position of the first motion, at the same time cast the eyes to the front. (Four.) Drop the arms quickly by the side.


Salute for Officers.
Raise the right hand (back to the front,) till the tips of the fingers touch the visor opposite the right eye, the thumb closed, the fingers and hand extended in prolongation of the forearm, the elbow down. [Second motion.) Lower the hand briskly, and to the right till the point of the fingers are at the height of the shoulder and in front of it, the elbow advancing slightly, the hand and fingers still extended in prolongation of the forearm. ( Third motion. ) Drop the hand by the side."

[G.W. Strong]

Excellent! That was exactly what I needed.

[Pitspitr]

I might add that many of the service's archaic manuals on topics such as infantry and cavalry tactics and marksmanship, are available on google play for free.

[PJ Hardtack]

Those of us that wear scarlet and kilts can't help but notice that the US salute often emphasizes the return from the salute, whereas we do the opposite, making the first motion the most emphatic.

Since this isn't mentioned in your manual, I presume that it is a soldierly affectation.

[Drydock]

Yep, I've noticed that too, as you say, seems a national affectation, HM troops "snap in" the salute, US troops "throw it out".  I suspect 2 world wars tended to accentuate and solidify the differences.